First black fungus patients discharged from Chandigarh's GMCH-32

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 27

A 69-year-old diabetic patient was admitted at GMCH with coronavirus symptoms. He complained of having fever, shortness of breath, and blackish discharge from the nose. 

The investigation like CRP, D-Dimer and LDH were significantly raised pointing to Covid-19 infection.

Nasal Endoscopic examination revealed blackish crusts and discolouration in the nose. After a KOH smear from the nose, it showed aseptate hyphae, suggestive of mucormycosis. He had swelling of the eye, impairment of vision and double vision. 

The patient was started on Amphotericin B & later endoscopic debridement was done. 

The surgical team was led by Prof. Surinder K Singhal. He revealed that now, he is in a stable condition, and is fit for discharge. He has been advised to continue posaconazole along with diabetes treatment. 

Currently, GMCH has 29 Covid patients related to mucormycosis under treatment. About 20 patients have been operated on by the ENT team. 

Others will be operated on as soon as they are fit for surgery. 

GMCH has reserved dedicated beds along with HDU & ICU facilities for both Covid positive as well as post covid mucormycosis patients. 

A multi-disciplinary team consisting of Physician, ENT surgeons, Ophthalmologists, Anesthetists, Microbiologists and Radiologists was constituted under the chairmanship of Director GMCH to take care of these patients.