Bahrani K | Volume 2; Issue 1 (2021) | Mapsci-JIMER-2(1)-017 | Commentary Citation: Bahrani K, Mishra HP. Mucormycosis in COVID Times. J Intern Med Emerg Res. 2021;2(1):1-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37191/Mapsci-2582-7367-2(1)-017 Journal of Internal Medicine and Emergency Research ISSN: 2582-7367 Bahrani K, et al, 2021- Intern Med Emerg Res Commentary Mucormycosis in COVID Times Kunal Bahrani 1* , Hara Prasad Mishra 2 Abstract Mucormycosis is a disease caused by fungus of Mucorales species. These fungi are present in the environment and are common commensals in the human body, mainly in the nose and sinuses, or respiratory tract and lungs. Rarely, in immunocompromised individuals or those who have temporary depression of immunity, these fungus manifest most commonly as rhino-cerebral mucormycosis or pulmonary mucormycosis. At rare times, skin may also get involved. Recently ICMR has come up with guidelines for mucormycosis, in this commentary it's our primary focal article. Keywords: Mucormycosis; Covid-19; Fungus; Oxygen therapy; Steroids; Immunocompromised; Diabetes Commentary This fungal condition is known to happen very commonly in diabetics & other people who are on immunosuppressants, chemotherapeutic agents or on steroids. Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly created a catastrophe where excessive use of antibiotics along with steroids has led to apparently normal individuals turning into immunocompromised individuals, maybe temporarily. Excessive use of antibiotics leads to destruction of normal gut flora which are often the first line of defense to fight any source of infection including fungus. Excessive sugar levels due to prolonged use of steroids may turn a non-diabetic patient to a diabetic status as steroids are known to be diabetogenic. Diabetic individuals are at more risk as their sugar levels may fluctuate wildly due to use of steroids. Once diabetic or in a state of diabetic status due to excessive use of steroids, patients are prone to acquire an infection from various microbial agents like viruses, bacteria and commensals like mucor. Rhino cerebral mucormycosis is particularly dangerous due to a higher mortality rate. It is rampant in its spread and commonly affects nose, paranasal sinuses and surrounding areas including pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa, pterygoid plates, Vidian Nerve, V2 (maxillary) and orbit. From the orbit it can easily spread intracranially via the superior orbital fissure to involve the 1 Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, Haryana, India 2 University college of medical sciences, Delhi, India * Corresponding Author: Kunal Bahrani, MBBS, MD Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, Haryana, India. Accepted Date: 05-18-2021 Published Date: 06-18-2021 Copyright© 2021 by Bahrani K, et al. All rights reserved. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.