Mucormycosis, black fungus infections not same: IMS-BHU expert
VARANASI : At a time when many cases of “black fungus” infection have surfaced across the country, a mycology expert here has claimed that black fungus and mucormycosis are different types of fungal infections and not the same. Mycology is a branch of biology concerned with study of fungi.
“Mucormycosis is a fungal infection caused by mucormycetes. These fungi are saprophytes and present throughout the environment. Black fungi and mucormycosis are two different groups of fungal infection. Black fungi are having melanin in the cell wall. Therefore, using the same name for the two infections is wrong,” said prof Ragini Tilak, a microbiologist at the department of microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (IMS-BHU).
“The fungal spores, which cause mucormycosis, enter the human body through nasal passage, wounds and sometimes via contaminated food. After that, these fungal spores germinate and cause mucormycosis infection. Mucromycosis is an opportunistic fungus,” she added.
As per prof Tilak, the mucormycosis infection usually attacks people with weak immunity. Besides, those who take steroids for a long time and those who have kidney ailments and uncontrolled diabetes are also vulnerable to it.
“During Covid infection, iron level increases in body and increased iron level provides suitable environment for fast growth of fungal spores which causes mucormycosis,” prof Tilak said.
She said several cases of mucormycosis had been reported in the state after second wave of Covid-19.
She also said cough, shortness of breath, fever, headache, nasal jam or closure, blackness over nose, blood with mucus from the nose, eye pain, lack of vision, gum swelling, tooth pain, vomiting facial pain and numbness are the symptoms of mucormycosis.
“Anyone developing two or more such symptoms must consult a doctor as its early diagnosis to check the spread of the infection to the body and proper care are very important,” said prof Tilak. As per her, six samples, which were received from ENT department for testing in Varanasi, were found positive for mucormycosis.
Covid-19 claims IIT-BHU professor’s life
VARANASI: Dr Sanjay Kumar Gupta, 51, associate professor in the department of civil engineering, IIT-BHU, passed away in the wee hours of Tuesday, due to complications arising from a Covid-19 infection. Quoting Gupta’s kin, IIT-BHU said in a statement, that he took ill on April 16 and was admitted to ICU of SSL Hospital, BHU.
His condition, however, didn’t improve. Then he was put on a ventilator on May 6. His Covid report came negative on April 12. His last rites were performed at Harishchandra Ghat by his son, Viren Gupta.
Gupta joined BHU in November 2007 as an assistant professor and was promoted as associate professor in November 2015.
He was the superintending engineer of the construction department of IIT-BHU.
IIT-BHU director Pramod Kumar Jain expressed deep sorrow over the death of Gupta and called it an irreparable loss to the Institute. “The IIT-BHU family mourns the passing away of Dr Sanjay Kumar Gupta and in this hour of grief, prays for the peace of his departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to bear this time of pain,” he said.
Varanasi dist admn gearing up for third Covid-19 wave
The district administration started preparations for dealing with a possible third wave of Covid-19, of which experts have expressed a distinct possibility.
Divisional commissioner Deepak Agarwal and district magistrate Kaushalraj Sharma inspected the department of paediatrics at the Sir Sunder Lal Hospital, BHU, on Tuesday and sought information about the medical equipment available and equipment required.
They also asked about companies from where the equipment may be purchased.
The medical superintendent of Sir Sundar Lal Hospital informed the DM and Commissioner that the capacity of LMOs is being increased and the number of beds is also being increased.