Confirmed patient of Black Fungus at SMCH referred outside for neuro-surgery: Dr Bhaskar Gupta

June 4: A 42-year-old patient from Karimganj, admitted at Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH) on 26 May, was initially suspected to be suffering from Mucormycosis (Black Fungus). On 3 June, 2021, the final test reports of biopsy and culture reached SMCH and it was found that he was a confirmed patient of Black Fungus. This was stated by Dr Bhaskar Gupta, Vice Principal of SMCH on Friday.

Dr Gupta further said, “On the basis of his preliminary test report, we had already started his treatment on 29 May and he was administered systemic anti-fungal injection. He was also a patient of high diabetes. However, from the MRI report, it was found that along with one of his eyes, a part of his brain was also affected. Sometimes, in such cases, the affected area of the brain needs to operated upon and detached. So what we have thought is that the fungus affected area needs to be removed which may also require removal of a part of the brain. So we have decided to refer the patient to such hospital where there is facility of regular neuro-surgery. However, at present, the patient is stable and his diabetes is also much controlled.”

Earlier on 30 May, Dr. Babul Kumar Bezbaruah, Principal of Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH) during a press meet in presence of the Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli, MP Silchar Dr Rajdeep Roy, Vice Principal of SMCH Dr Bhaskar Gupta and other doctors informed that, “This patient from Karimganj was detected as Covid-19 positive on 5 May, 2021 and was being treated at Karimganj Civil Hospital. He became negative on 11 May and was then released from that hospital. However, soon that patient developed breathing complications. After which, he came over to Silchar and took admission at Gracewell Hospital on 12 May, where he was under treatment till 15 May. He was then discharged from Gracewell. The patient then stayed in a lodge at Silchar.”

The Principal then said, “On 17 May, the patient took admission at Jeevan Jyoti Institute of Medical Sciences,  Silchar due to breathing difficulties. He was treated conservatively as a post-Covid case at Jeevan Jyoti. This patient came to Silchar Medical College at the Department of Ophthalmology on 26 May. On examination, the doctors in that department found that there was swelling in one his eyes, nasal obstruction and involvement of nerves. His opthalmological involvement was more. After that, the case was referred to ENT Department of SMCH. The doctors of ENT department in association with the Medicine Department has taken the swab and biopsy of the patient after doing nasal endoscopy. The biopsy report is awaited. The swab test report will arrive within 4 to 5 days.” The reports finally arrived on 3 May and he was confirmed to be a patient of Mucormycosis (Black Fungus).

A medical board was also constituted with the senior doctors of ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Medicine and Microbiology for the treatment of this patient.

Meanwhile Assam government in May 2021 issued a notification wherein it was stated that Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) cases have significant risk of mortality and there is a likelihood of increase in number of such cases In the near future. Mucormycosis was also declared as a notifiable disease under Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 by the Union Ministry of Health. As such, all Government and private health facilities, Medical Colleges will follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis. management of Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).