Mucormycosis and COVID-19

Abstract

This article presents the current situation regarding the spread of mucormycosis. Since mucormycosis is a very poorly known disease in Poland, we present here only the most important facts and observations regarding the relationship of this mycosis with COVID-19. We are dealing with a wave of infections, mainly in India, caused by the so-called black fungus. The increase in the number of infections and their spread also outside of India is directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and more specifically to the use of drugs containing corticosteroids or anti-interleukins, such as tocilizumab, which suppress the patients’ immune system. There are voices of specialists warning against underestimating mucormycosis and related mycoses, such as aspergillosis, and calling for more research on these diseases to find effective treatments and eventual preventive measures.