Objective: This study aimed at determining the differentmold species associated with COVID-19 Pandemicin diverse clinical specimens.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study conducted on 2080 samples, tested between second waves of COVID-19in Delhi during April 2021 to July 2021performed at Microbiology department of Dr Lal Path Labs. Moldspecies were cultured by Conventional (culture) and identified by MALDI-TOF.
Results and Discussion: 455 Mold isolates of 15 diverse species were isolated from 2080 various clinical specimens. Aspergillus niger(106,23.3%) was predominant followed by Aspergillus fumigatus( 83,18.2%), Aspergillus flavus(80,17.5%),Rhizopusoryzae (38,8.3%), Alternaria alternata (34,7.5%),Rhizopusmicrosporus (29,6.4%), Aspergillus oryzae(24, 5.3%), Penicillium spp. (18, 3.9%), Fusarium species (17,3.7%), Aspergillus nidulans(11,2.4%),  Aspergillus terrus(4,0.9%), Uncommon Mold species such as Paecilomyceslilacum 0.3%, Epicoccumnigrum 0.4%, Cladosporium spp.0.6% were also isolated. Out of the 455 isolates, 20.3% of isolates of them belonging to the age group of 31-40 years and rest were 79.7% of 41-99 years. The most predominant age group infected with mold isolates were elderly adults >=61 years of age which constituted 42.4% of the fungal culture positive cases. In the present study, alarming noticed in other infrequent opportunistic pathogenic fungus caused infections such as Rhizopusoryzae and R. microsporusthat causes Mucormycosisin the second wave of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi, India.This association thought to relate to reduced immune function during the course of the illness, uncontrolled diabetics and related to glucocorticoid therapy for COVID-19. A rise in cases particularly noted in Indiaestimated to be about 70 times higher than in the rest of the world.
Conclusion: The fungal pathogens has changed over a period with new species emerging as well as old species increasing become more virulent and resistant to primary antifungal drugs. We should be concern about the national emergence of among varying MOLD species obtained in diverse clinical situations.