Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccination against COVID -associated Mucormycosis
Published: November 1, 2022 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2022/58073.17010
Rohit Mahla, Saurabh Shrivastava
1. Postgraduate Student, Department of Pathology, Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
2. Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Correspondence
Dr. Saurabh Shrivastava,
House #71, Arya Nagar, 1st Lane, Morar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
E-mail: saurabhpatho@gmail.com
Introduction: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infections may be associated with a wide range of opportunistic bacterial and fungal co-infections. Both Aspergillus and Candida have been reported as the main fungal pathogens for co-infection in people with COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, another threat has emerged as a challenge to India was in the form of COVID-associated mucormycosis.
Aim: To study the incidence of COVID-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.
Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out at Gajra Raja Medical College and Jay Arogya Hospital, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, over a period of two months (May to June 2021). A total of 94 patients with post-COVID rhino-orbital mucormycosis were reported in the institute during the study period. Biopsy or postoperative surgical specimens were received for histopathological examination with a proper history of diabetes mellitus, steroid intake, and vaccination status. Histologically confirmed COVID-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis cases were included in the study and its incidence was compared in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.
Results: Total 94 patients were confirmed histopathologically, with mucormycosis. It was noted that mucormycosis was more common in males as compared to females. Of the total number of cases, 71 (75.5%) cases had a history of diabetes mellitus and 73 (77.7%) had a history of steroid intake. Eightysix (91.5%) cases were unvaccinated while only 8 (8.5%) were either completely or partially vaccinated. Incidence of mucormycosis was found to be more amongst unvaccinated patients as compared to vaccinated patients.
Conclusion: Mucormycosis is one of the major post-COVID threats. Diabetes mellitus and steroid intake were found to be the main risk factors for post-COVID mucormycosis. However, it has also been noted that mucormycosis can occur without a previous history of diabetes and steroid intake. Incidence of mucormycosis was found to be higher amongst unvaccinated patients as compared to vaccinated patients. Hence, vaccination against COVID-19 is likely to be effective in the prevention of COVID-associated mucormycosis.
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