A 17-year-long medical study from KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital has revealed how cases of the deadly “black fungus” infection — medically known as mucormycosis — sharply increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due to diabetes and excessive steroid use.
The study, led by ENT specialist Dr. Anil S. Harugop and his team, analysed 210 patients treated between 2007 and 2024 for a serious form of the disease called rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, which affects the nose, eyes and brain.
The researchers divided patients into three time periods:
Doctors observed a sudden surge during COVID, mainly because many patients were given high doses of steroids to treat coronavirus infection. In people with diabetes, this created the perfect environment for fungal infection to grow.
The study found that most patients had:
Doctors explained that high sugar levels and low immunity allow the fungus to spread quickly from the nose to the eyes and sometimes to the brain.
Treatment involved:
In some cases:
Despite treatment:
Doctors urge people to seek medical help if they notice:
Early treatment can save life and eyesight.
The study concludes that:
“Early diagnosis, quick surgery, control of diabetes, and proper antifungal treatment are the keys to survival.”
It also warns against:
India already has a large diabetic population. During COVID, the combination of:
led to an explosion of black fungus cases, making India one of the worst affected countries.
Doctors say that awareness has improved after COVID. Fewer cases are now being seen, and patients are reaching hospitals earlier.
The hospital team thanked ENT surgeons, physicians, radiologists, microbiologists and nephrologists for helping manage this life-threatening disease.
Black fungus is deadly — but early action saves lives.
Senior Consultant – ENT
KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & MRC & JN Medical College
KLE Academy of Higher Education & Research, Belagavi – 590010
1099
