As India battles the devastating second wave of COVID-19, a new fungal threat—'white fungus' or candidiasis—has surfaced among recovering patients, following the rise of mucormycosis, or 'black fungus'.
India's COVID-19 crisis has claimed more than 300,000 lives amid approximately 26 million cases. Recent reports highlighted a 'triple mutant' variant and the resurgence of mucormycosis in recovering patients. Now, as detailed in The Independent on May 22, 2021, scientists are alarmed by candidiasis cases.
This infection stems from unicellular yeasts of the Candida genus, a white fungus. In Patna, Bihar, four patients exhibited candidiasis alongside COVID-19-like symptoms and characteristic lung lesions—but tested negative for the virus, raising critical questions about its links to the pandemic.
Experts worry about Candida's ability to spread rapidly to organs like the kidneys, brain, stomach, and nails—proving more aggressive than black fungus. Authorities are monitoring for further cases nationwide.
This follows black fungus outbreaks, with 2,000 cases in Maharashtra alone (out of 7,000 nationwide). Mortality exceeds 50%, with reports of patients losing eyes. Steroidal anti-inflammatories used in COVID-19 treatment, while vital, suppress immunity and enable these opportunistic infections.
