Retrospective study of Covid-19 associated co-infections and super infections from bacteria, fungi and viruses, their molecular pathogenesis, etiology and immune dysregulation- current global challenges-A critical review
*Ben Raj
Department of Biotechnology, St. Mary’s College, Thrissur - 680020 India *Corresponding Address Ben Raj drbenraj2024@gmail.com ORCID: https://orcid.org 0000-0001-9319-7874
ABSTRACT
A broad spectrum of different kinds of viral, bacterial and fungal pathogenic infections is significantly reported among Covid-19 patients. Most of these infections shoot up the incidences of morbidity and mortality and results in community spread. To review in detail about various co-infections, super infections, etiology, diagnosis, molecular pathogenesis, immune dysregulation and appropriate treatment methods in Covid-19 patients. The Science direct, PubMed and web resources were surfed with different keywords including: “Covid-19”; “SARS-CoV- 2”; “viral co-infection”; “bacterial co-infection”; “fungal co-infection” “Interferon”; “Transforming Growth Factor”; “CAPA”; “ROCM”; “Mucormycosis”; “Black fungus infection”;”white fungus” “yellow fungus” “OPC”. It has been about 18 months since the entire world is fighting to control Covid-19, even since it stipulates many associated diseases to cope up with; one such is the microbial co-infection. The co-infection is the current challenge in treating the Covid-19 patients as it majorly intensifies the morbidity and mortality ratio. Besides some common bacterial and viral pathogenesis, highly virulent fungal infections like Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, Zygomycosis, Black fungus, White fungus and yellow fungus infection which were reported recently has been detailed. A timely diagnosis, proper medications and treatments can help to overcome the severe implications; hence this review also emphasized on the symptoms of infections, molecular pathogenesis, sample collections with diagnosis, immune dysregulation and available treatment methods. Either it isn’t possible to ignore the co-infections or to misinterpret the diagnosis in order to ensure the proper pandemic management. Better understanding of co-infections, diagnosis, effective treatment, prevention and root cause identification is thus critical for the effective patient management, treatment and containment of SARS-CoV-2. Hence, this review discussed everything in detail and hence it provides the reader a crystal clear detail on Covid19 associated microbial co-infections. This study may also enlighten the necessary precautionary measures to look forwarding to combat the severe impacts.