Invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis are life-threatening infections caused by environmental molds. Invasive aspergillosis most often affects the lungs (pulmonary aspergillosis), while mucormycosis most often affects the sinuses, lungs, or skin.[1] Classic patient risk factors for these conditions include hematologic malignancies, stem cell or solid organ transplantation, and other forms of severe immunosuppression.[2,3] Uncontrolled diabetes is an important risk factor for mucormycosis.[2]
COVID-19 is likely to increase the risk for pulmonary aspergillosis and mucormycosis because of COVID-19–induced immune dysregulation and treatments for COVID-19 (eg, corticosteroids) that weaken host immune defenses against molds.[4,5] COVID-19–associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and mucormycosis (CAM) have emerged globally as public health threats during the pandemic. Researchers estimate that CAPA might occur in more than 10% of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients.[5] In India, more than 40,000 CAM cases have been reported during the pandemic (as of July 2021), but this disease is rarer in other parts of the world. Both CAPA and CAM have been associated with mortality rates around 50%.[5,6] Recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and partners highlight the emergence of CAM in the United States and globally outside of India.[7,8]
