COVID-19-associated fungal spectrum (CAFS): The intraoral purview

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has created havoc all around the world, ever since discovered. The COVID-19 virus is reportedly responsible for causing severe immunodeficiency states in patients. This has led to a rise in opportunistic infections, majorly being fungal in form. This increase in fungal infections may also be linked to other factors such as immunosuppressive drugs or antiviral drugs which have been discussed on this platform. Fungal infections most commonly associated with COVID-19 virus are those which majorly affect upper respiratory tract and/or lungs, that is, Mucor, Aspergillus, and Candida. Fungal infections can cause great discomfort to the patient and, hence, need to be diagnosed at the earliest followed by subsequent therapeutic management or else can prove out to be fatal. Conclusively, this review suggests that clinicians need to be vigilant about the possible opportunistic infections, and thus, COVID-19 management should be done judiciously.