Mucormycosis (the black fungus) during COVID-19 pandemic: growing concerns of immunosuppressive therapy and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

In recent days rare but aggressive fungal disease in the form of mucormycosis has emerged and become a health concern mostly for the patients suffering from severe COVID-19 infection, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, and patients who receive immunosuppressive therapies for diseases like malignancies. Many studies have demonstrated the relationship between COVID-19, immunosuppressive therapies, diabetes mellitus, and mucormycosis. In diabetes mellitus, poor glycemic control allows the fungi to produce pathogenesis. On the other hand, immunosuppression causes compromised neutrophil function that inhibits phagocytosis and the fusion of phagolysosome. Epidemiological data has proved that the incidence of mucormycosis from a global perspective has been on the rise and it has an association with an increasing number of diabetic cases in the world. In countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh where the number of diabetic and cancer patients has been growing constantly, mucormycosis could be a serious health concern in near future. Much more scientific studies, statistical analysis, and engagement of health experts are needed to combat the situation.