Analysis of COVID-19 and Mucormycosis Infection in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic unprecedentely led to health crisis in population across the globe. Even though the advent of vaccine has brought the spread of infection under control, shortage in vaccine supply, surge in breakthrough infections and associated mucormycosis in immunosuppressed individuals posed a potential threat.

Aim: To know the incidence and outcome of COVID-19 with superadded mucormycosis in vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study undertaken for a period of four months. April to July 2021 in the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Tertiary Care Hospital, New Delhi, India. Hospitalised COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study. Details of age, gender and co-morbidities were taken into account. In COVID-19 with mucormycosis, glycosylated haemoglobin value and steroid therapy were also noted. Clinical outcome for all the cases were analysed. Statistical analysis of the data collected was done with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software.

Results: Out of 134 cases, 84 and 50 cases belonged to vaccinated and unvaccinated groups respectively. Isolated COVID-19 infection was noted in 102 cases and COVID-19 with mucormycosis in 32 cases. Diabetes mellitus and steroid therapy showed to be the predisposing factors for development of mucormycosis in COVID-19 cases. High proportion of unvaccinated individuals died due to isolated COVID-19 infection compared to vaccinated individuals and it was found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: To combat serious threats caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, complete vaccination which offers maximum protection is mandatory.