Gujarat, Maharashtra shared 43% ROCM-black fungus burden: Study

GujaratandMaharashtra the two states reporting the highest cases ofmucormycosis(MM) after the second wave of Covid-19 also reported the highest cases of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM), claimed a national study encompassing 2,826 patients from 22 states and Union territories. The findings suggested 22% of Indias total ROCM recorded from Gujarat, followed closely by Maharashtra with 21%.

The study, Epidemiology, clinical profile, management, and outcome of Covid19associated rhinoorbitalcerebral mucormycosis in 2,826 patients in India Collaborative OPAIIJO Study on Mucormycosis in Covid19 (COSMIC) was recently published in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology.

The study focused on the fungal infection spread in sinuses, space behind the eyes and below the brain. The study added that ROCM was primarily manifested by facial or eye pain (23%), swelling (edema) on face or near eyes (21%), and loss of vision (19%). The study includes doctors from Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot.