This document discusses mucormycosis (black fungus), a rare fungal infection caused by mold. It presents information on the history, classification, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an association between mucormycosis and COVID-19 emerged, as many cases occurred in patients recovering from COVID-19 who had diabetes or were taking corticosteroids. The infection spreads through spore inhalation or skin contact and affects the sinuses, lungs or other organs depending on exposure. Prompt diagnosis and antifungal treatment are needed to prevent severe illness or death.

1. MUCORMYCOSIS OR
ZYGOMYCOSIS AFTER COVID

2. CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
 HISTORY
 CLASSIFICATION
-- Classification of plants
-- Classification of fungi
-- Classification by the part of the body affected
 COVID-19 ASSOCIATED MUCORMYCOSIS
 CAUSATIVE AGENTS
 CAUSES
 Risk factors
 MECHANISM
 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
 DIAGNOSIS
 PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
 CONCLUSION

3. INTRODUCTION
 Arnold Paltauf coined the term "Mycosis Mucorina" in 1885.
 Mucormycosis (zygomycosis) called it "Black Fungus"
because of the black discoloration of dead and dying tissue the
fungus causes.
 serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds
called mucormycetes.
 Mucormycosis mainly affects people who have health
problems or take medicines that lower the body's ability to
fight germs and sickness.

4.  These fungi are common in soils, decomposing organic matter
(such as rotting fruit and vegetables), and animal manure, but
usually do not affect people.
 Mucormycosis in other animals is similar, in terms of
frequency and types, as in people.Cases have been described in
cats, dogs, cows, horses, dolphin, bison, and seals.
FUNGAL DESEASE ANOTHER NAME
Mucormycosis Black fungus
Aspergillosis White fungus
Candidiasis Yellow fungus

5. Moldy Bread Dung
Mold on wet soil Mucor

6. HISTORY
 The first case of mucormycosis was possibly one described
by Friedrich Küchenmeister in 1855.
 The disease has been reported in natural disasters; 2004 Indian
Ocean tsunami and the 2011 Missouri tornado.
 During the COVID-19 pandemic 2020/21, an association
between mucormycosis and COVID-19 has been reported
following treatment and recovery from COVID-19.

7.  Until the latter half of the 20th century, the only available
treatment was potassium iodide.
 In a review of cases involving the lungs diagnosed
following flexible bronchoscopy between 1970 and 2000,
survival was found to be better in those who received combined
surgery and medical treatment, mostly with amphotericin B.

8. CLASSIFICATION
 Taxonomical classification
classification of plant
classification of fungi
 Depending on the part of the body affected

9. Classification of Plants

10. Classification of Fungi

13. Classification by the part of the body affected
PART OF THE BODY PEOPLE MOSTLY AFFECTED
Sinuses and brain(rhinocerebral) •People with poorly controlled diabetes
•People who have had a kidney transplant
Lungs(pulmonary) •People with cancer
•People who have had an organ transplant or
a stem cell transplant
Stomach and intestine(gastrointestinal) •Young premature and low birth weight infants
•Who have had antibiotics
•Surgery
•Medications that lower the body's ability to fight
infection
Skin(cutaneous) •Burn or other skin injury
•People with leukaemia
•Poorly controlled diabetes
•Graft-versus-host disease
•HIV
•Intravenous drug use
Widespread (disseminated) •When the infection spreads to other organs via the
blood

15. COVID-19 ASSOCIATED
MUCORMYCOSIS
 The most common underlying medical condition was
diabetes.Most had been in hospital with severe breathing
problems due to COVID-19, had recovered, and developed
mucormycosis 10-14 days following treatment for COVID-19.
 Corticosteroids used as immunosuppressant in the treatment of
COVID-19 increase blood sugar levels in both diabetics and
non-diabetic patients. It is thought that both these effects may
contribute to cases of mucormycosis.

16.  People with high sugars frequently have higher iron levels, also
known to be a risk factor for developing mucormycosis
 In people on deferoxamine, the iron removed is captured
by siderophores on Rhizopus species, which uses the iron to
grow.

18. CAUSATIVE AGENTS
SEVERITY OF INFECTION CAUSATIVE AGENT
Most cases Rhizopus and Mucor(common
bread molds)
Most fatal infections Rhizopus oryzae
Less likely Lichtheimia
Rarely Apophysomyces
Others Cunninghamella, Mortierella,
and Saksenaea

19. CAUSES
 Contaminated wound dressings and medical equipment
 Use of elastoplast and the use of tongue depressors for holding in place
intravenous catheters
 Hospital bed sheets
 Negative-pressure rooms
 Water leaks
 Poor ventilation
 Building works

20. Risk factors
 Diabetic patients
 Heavy steroid use in covid19 treatment
 Patients kept on humidified oxygen
 Less able to fight infection
 Low neutrophil count
 Metabolic acidosis
 Organ transplant
 Iron overload
 Cancers such as lymphomas
 Kidney failure
 Liver disease
 Severe malnutrition
 Tuberculosis
 Deferoxamine
 HIV/AIDS

21. MECHANISM
 Mucormycosis is generally spread by breathing in, eating food
contaminated by, or getting spores of molds of the Mucorales type
in an open wound.It is not transmitted between people.
 In addition to being breathed in to be deposited in the nose,
sinuses and lungs, the spores can also enter the skin via blood or
directly through a cut or open wound, or grow in the intestine if
eaten.
 Once deposited, the fungus grows branch-like filaments which
invade blood vessels, causing clots to form and
surrounding tissues to die.

25. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
 Facial pain
 Headache
 Nasal or sinus congestion
 Black lesions on upper inside of mouth
 Pain in eye
 Loss of vision

26. DIAGNOSIS
 Biopsy and culture
 Imaging-CT scan of lungs and sinuses
 Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
 Blood sample from an artery may be useful to assess for metabolic
acidosis
 Blood count to look for neutropenia
 Blood tests include iron levels, blood glucose, bicarbonate,
and electrolytes
 Endoscopic examination of the nasal passages

27. Ribbon-like hyphae which branch at 90° Hyphae in blood vessel
Mature sporangium of a Mucor

28. PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
PREVENTION
 Wearing a face mask
 Washing hands
 Avoiding direct contact with water-damaged buildings
 Protecting skin, feet and hands where there is exposure to soil or manure
such as gardening or certain outdoor work
 In high risk groups such as organ transplant, antifungal drugs may be
given as a preventative.

30. TREATMENT
 Antifungal drugs
 Surgically removing infecting tissue
 Correcting underlying medical problems such as diabetic
ketoacidosis
 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

32. CONCLUSION
 Cases of mucormycosis in fit and healthy people is rare.
 It affects people who have health problems or take medicines
that lower the body's immunity.
 It is not transmitted between people.
 Diabetics should be extra cautious and bring sugar under
control.
 Doctors should avoid rampant use of steroids unless deemed
life saving in covid.