Manifestation of mucormycosis in periodontics

Mucormycosis or black fungus is a non-septate filamentous fungal infection that causes potentially life-threatening conditions. This typical infection affects immunocompromised and diabetic patients most of the time and the symptoms of this deadly infectious condition depend on the site of origin, but generally facial structures (nose, sinuses, eye, and brain) are most involved. The major route of infection spread is via inhalation, which then involves the lungs and paranasal sinuses. The highest risk of fungal mucoromycetes infection is in those patients diagnosed and treated for COVID-19 with broad-spectrum antibiotics, non-invasive ventilation, and received corticosteroid therapies. Patients who had pre-existing diseases, such as asthma, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure, and developed COVID-19 on top of it are particularly predisposed to contracting the mucormycotic infection. Any suspected case of mucormycosis requires rapid diagnosis and management due to its rapid progression as well as the destructive course of infection. This article reviews the taxonomy, risk factors, clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and various treatment modalities of Mucormycosis.