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MUMBAI: While treatment of mucormycosis—the black fungus affecting a section of Covid-recovered patients—has become synonymous with a 25-day course of an anti-fungal medication that costs more than Rs 30,000 daily, its shortage has forced city doctors to manage most with a medicine that costs Rs 350 or less a day.
“The drug, liposomal amphotericin B, has been in short supply for 9 days, prompting us to use the conventional amphotericin B that costs a fraction but gives equal results,” said ENT surgeon Dr Milind Navalakhe from Global Hospital, which has treated more than 35 patients in the past 60 days.
‘New amphotericin is Rolls Royce of mucor med but older one works too’
A patient arrives at the Nesco jumbo centre in Goregaon on Thursday
MUMBAI: Up to 30% patients developed mucormycosis, a deadly fungal infection, within 10 days of getting admitted to a medical facility for Covid-19 treatment, a study by a city hospital has found. It underlines the fact that the infection shouldn’t be identified as a post-Covid complication alone.
Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, was so far thought to be striking recovered Covid patients a few weeks or months after hospitalisation. But from a review of 32 cases of the fungal infection, Parel’s Global Hospital found that the average time for onset of symptoms was 12 days since hospitalisation for Covid treatment. The earliest a patient developed signs of black fungus was after five days in hospital.
Covid Case Study: What Happens When One Contracts Black Fungus And The Symptoms
Mucormycosis is a serious but previously rare fungal infection caused by a group of fungi called mucormycetes. These are ubiquitous in the environment and can often be seen on rotting food.
Dr. Milind Navalakhe 14 May 2021, Last Updated at 7:49 am Representational image Dr. Milind Navalakhe 2021-05-14T07:45:06+05:30 Covid Case Study: What Happens When One Contracts Black Fungus And The Symptoms outlookindia.com 2021-05-14T07:49:02+05:30
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Cases of mucormycosis, a fungal infection, are rising among Covid-19 survivors, causing blindness or serious illness and even death in some cases. The cost of treatment for this disease is also a matter of concern, some doctors said.
What is the “black fungus” infection found among COVID patients in India? | Coronavirus pandemic News
Mumbai, India – For 35-year-old Milind Deshmukh, infecting COVID-19 infection has been a devastating, life-changing experience.
A mechanical engineer in Thane district of Mumbai caught a fungal infection called mucomycosis while battling viral disease.
Within a month, the rapidly spreading fungus ate up a large portion of the facial tissue, including the right eye and palate.
“He has undergone three surgeries, he has lost sight of one eye forever and it will be difficult to speak or eat because of the removal of his palate,” Brother Deshmukh’s older brother told Makarand to Al Jazeera. “It’s all very destructive.”
Covid-19 testing underway at the Gateway of India
MUMBAI: With a spurt in mucormycosis or the deadly ‘black fungus’ among patients recovering from Covid, public health minister Rajesh Tope said it will be treated for free under the state’s medical insurance scheme, and offered hope about capping the price of the expensive antifungal medicines.
There are around 1,000-odd hospitals under the Mahatma Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana. “The main antifungal drug, Amphotericin B, is expensive, and it may be difficult for people to bear the cost. We will look at the prices and take a decision on capping it,” he said. A single vial of Amphotericin B can cost between Rs 5000 and Rs 8000, and the medicines have to be taken for 4-12 weeks.
After the pandemic, three factors have led to an exponential rise in mucormycosis cases- Covid itself, diabetes and abuse of steroids that lower immunity.
MUMBAI: Twenty-nine-year-old Suhas, a businessman, thought he had defeated coronavirus when he came out of a non-invasive ventilator and went home after two weeks. But soon he started experiencing pain and swelling on the face. A quick CT scan confirmed the doctor's fears - he had contracted mucormycosis, a potentially fatal fungal infection. He recently underwent a surgery at Global Hospital in Parel, where doctors had to remove his upper jaw to arrest the spread of the fungus to the brain.
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MUMBAI: Mucormycosis, which has a mortality rate of over 50% and can lead to blindness, is sweeping through parts of Maharashtra. Hospitals in Mumbai that are treating dozens of such cases from northern Maharashtra and Vidarbha said its spread is assuming epidemic proportions, so much so that regions have started facing a shortage of anti-fungal medicines.
Parel’s Global Hospital, which has started a dedicated clinic for mucormycosis after witnessing a surge in cases during the first wave, has 18 patients admitted at present. ENT surgeon Dr Milind Navalakhe, who is a part of the team that runs the clinic, said they have admitted 31 patients, of which 25 are from outside the city.
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