First green fungus case in Punjab

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 19

Punjab’s first case of green fungus, also known as aspergillosis, has been reported in Jalandhar. A 61-year-old patient, who had recovered from Covid months ago, has been diagnosed with the disease. The first green fungus case of the country was reported in Madhya Pradesh a few days ago.

A resident of Baba Bakala, the patient had tested positive for Covid in March and had recovered. Complaining of constant cough and difficulty in breathing, he was admitted to the Sacred Heart Hospital at Maqsoodan a few days ago.

Dr Ashutosh Dhanuka, consultant and pulmonologist, Critical Care Centre, Sacred Heart Hospital, Jalandhar, said, “The patient who hails from Baba Bakala in Amritsar was initially hospitalised after testing Covid-positve at Ludhiana in March. He stayed in the hospital for 22 days after which he was discharged. But his cough failed to subside and dissatisfied with the diagnosis elsewhere, the patient was brought to us on Sunday. After bronchoscopy and on seeing the biopsy reports, the patient has been found positive for invasive aspergillosis or green fungus. The patient isn’t on life support currently but taking into account the seriousness of the disease, he is under strict monitoring. During the Covid era, this is the first green fungus case reported with us.”

Dr Ashutosh added, “Green fungus is a rare disease, often misdiagnosed as TB. While black fungus is more fatal, green fungus is characterised by invasion of the lungs by a fungus and needs strict medical treatment and monitoring. We are hoping the patient heals medically without surgery. Currently, he is under observation.” 

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