COVID-19 and Plethora of Fungal Infections

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Severe-acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been the single most important pathogen driving health care delivery system for the last one and half years. Now, as the time is passing, many issues related to co-infections/secondary infections/superinfections in COVID-19 patients are emerging. The literature is getting enriched everyday by addition of reports from all over the world for the same. The purpose of this review is to decipher the plethora of fungal infections in COVID-19. Recent Findings: COVID-19 infection along with it brought many risk factors namely lung injury, immunosuppression, need for oxygen therapy, monoclonal antibodies, steroid therapy, etc. which are known predisposing factors for fungal infections. Rather the extent and severity of fungal pathogens has been so much that it has led to new terminologies like CAC (COVID-19-associated Candida), CAPA (COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis) and CAM (COVID-19-associated mucormycosis). There is increase in invasiveness of Candida, prevalence of aspergillosis in COVID-19 damaged lung and outbreak of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients resulting in “double trouble,” keeping laboratory personnel, clinicians, and intensivists on their toes in managing these patients. Summary: Awareness and understanding regarding these possible complications is necessary to decrease the morbidity and mortality among patients. The COVID-19 and fungal coinfections may bring more insight into ways of pathogenesis of fungal infections, need for better antifungal agents, quick diagnostic modalities, and better management policies in the near future.