European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

COVID-19 patients particularly those with Diabetes, critically ill and Immunocompromised patients have higher probability of suffering from opportunistic fungal infections. Treatment of COVID19 with immunosuppressive agents (e.g. corticosteroids and cytokine blockers) remains a complicated challenge, especially among patients with severe disease which may increase the risk of invasive fungal infections. The present study aims at finding the association of risk factors in COVID-19 affected patients leading to opportunistic fungal infections. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on a total number of 500 clinically suspected cases of fungal infection attending ENT outpatient department during May 2021 to August 2021. Samples were processed by microscopy and culture. Results: Of which 324 cases (64.8%) showed fungal growth. Among these 324 cases, 51.5% were Aspergillosis, 31.4% were Mucormycosis, 12.9% were Candidiasis, 2.4% were mixed infection with Mucormycosis and Aspergillosis and 1.5% were other opportunistic fungi. Out of 324 cases, known diabetics were 50% and non-diabetic with increased blood glucose levels were 22.8% and on steroid therapy were 66.3%. Most of the cases were presented in the recovery phase of COVID-19 (74%) than during the active phase (26%) of the infection. Conclusion: Patients with Covid 19 are prone to fungal infections because of immune dysregulation and the widespread use of immunomodulatory drugs along with certain risk factors like diabetes mellitus and immunocompromised conditions.