4 infected in Patna
White fungus, an infection more dangerous than coronavirus and the black fungus, is now rearing its ugly head with at least four such cases being reported clinically for the first time from Bihar on Thursday.
“Four patients of white fungus (candidiasis) have been detected in Bihar’s Capital Patna,” said Dr SN Singh, Head of Patna Medical College and Hospital’s Microbiology Department.
He said initially patients were showing symptoms of Covid-19, but after thorough investigation it was found that they were suffering from white fungus, which has been treated.
Though Dr Arunaloke Chakrabarti, head of the department of microbiology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, said there was no need to worry and there was no word as such “white fungus”, a few medical experts have called for keeping a watch on the fungus which is said to be deadlier than black fungus or mucormycosis as it affects other organs of the body too apart from just the lungs.
Moreover, it infects children and women and according to doctors, it is the main reason for Leucorrhoea. Hence, women with diabetes who have increased susceptibility to oral and Vulvovaginal Candida (VVC) Species Infections and reporting Covid-19 are more affected. Cancer patients also need to be careful of the fungus.
Given that India is the diabetes capital of the world, there are likely to be more cases reported in near future. In fact, according to a study published recently, while Candida is normally found in the oral cavity, it has also been found flourishing in diabetic patients due to elevated glucose levels, which can result in oral candidiasis and dental plaques.
Symptoms of VVC include white, cottage cheese-like discharge, edema, redness, pain, and burning sensation, said the study published in the journal Cureus.
“Out-of-control blood glucose levels result in various metabolic changes, like a rise in glycogen levels. This can cause a remarkable increase in the colonizing and pathogenic abilities of Candida species, as raised glycogen levels cause a fall in the pH of the vagina, making the environment more susceptible to the establishment of a VVC community,” authors Dr Lubna Mohammed, Internal Medicine at the California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, and her colleagues had noted after conducting a review of articles published between 2000 and 2021. They also examined the pathogenesis of Candida species and why they affect patients with DM.
They also noted that patients may have asymptomatic infection due to the immune system keeping the infection contained. Globally, millions of people are affected with diabetes, but India tops the list, making its population more susceptible to secondary infection such as white fungus due to weakened immunity and blood glucose levels that are uncontrolled. The authors have cautioned practicing providers to watch for symptoms of VVC in women with diabetes.
Doctors also said hospitalised patients show a stronger predisposition to oral candidiasis due to environmental and systemic changes which alter the natural microbiota and favor the emergence of opportunistic infections.