Increasing Cases of Mucormycosis Among Covid Patients

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  • Hospitals and media in Iran report cases of Mucormycosis or Fungal Disease, a rare but potentially dangerous and fatal infection, among patients suffering from Covid-19.
  • Dr, Mohammad-Reza Salehi, specialist in infectious diseases in Tehran’s Iman Khomeini hospital told state television that cases of Mucormycosis are increasing.
  • Ten patients in his hospital are suffering from the infection.

A recent news source published in the Iran International news talks about Rare Fungal Disease Reported Among Covid Patients In Iran.

What does CDC says about it?

The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) says(link is external), “Mucormycosis is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes.” The disease is rare, “but it’s more common among people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness,” CDC says. It affects the nasal area, lungs and can spread to other organs.

Amphotericin B, an anti-fungal medication

Amphotericin B, an anti-fungal medication known to be effective against the disease cannot be found in Iran, Salehi said.

An emergency method to deal with the nasal type of Mucormycosis is to take out the eyes of the patient and doctors in Iran have been forced to take this step.

Salehi appealed to the health ministry to acquire Amphotericin B from abroad.

Reports about the cases of the disease

There were reports about cases of the disease in June but the government never officially announced its occurrence.

A Covid taskforce member Masoud Mardani said at the time that Covid medications Corticosteroids and dexamethasone were the reason some patients got the disease.

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Source: Iran Intl