Mycological study of Zygomycosis in patient suffering from suspected Mucormycosis during COVID-19 pandemic at IGIMS, Patna

Aim: To study the speciation of zygomycosis, associated risk factors and spectrum of other fungus isolated in patients of suspected mucormycosis. Methodology: A prospective observational cross-sectional study was conducted for duration of 6 months in the Department of Microbiology, IGIMS, Patna. All the patients suspected clinically with mucormycosis visiting IGIMS, Patna were included in this study. Patient details were taken from lab investigation form after taking informed consent form from the patients or close relatives. Specimens were collected and routine microscopy (KOH mount), grams stain and culture was done for all samples. All the demographic details, laboratory results, clinical symptoms, COVID-19 status, systemic history, treatment history details were collected and analysed. Results: Out of 203 patients, 72.4% were males and 27.6% were females. Mean age of the patients was 50.19 + 3.08 years. 51.2% were KOH positive and 48.8% were KOH negative. In culture method, 28.6% had Rhizopusspp, 17.7% had Aspergillus spp, 17.7% had Candida spp, and 43.8% had no growth. 27.1% patients were either COVID positive during examination or had COVID history in recent time. Out of 55 patients (27.1%) having/had COVID history, only 54.5% were KOH positive and 41.8% were Rhizopusspp positive culture.