DR. GUPTA ROSHMI

Dr. ROHIT SHETTY

Abstract

Aim: To determine the status of anti-fungal immunity in active non-severe COVID-19-associated rhino orbital mucormycosis (Ca-ROCM).

Methods: With institutional ethics committee approval, peripheral blood of 29 subjects (Ca-ROCM n=13; COVID-19 without ROCM, n=9; healthy controls, n=7) was used to determine 25 immune cell subsets (immunophenotyping) and 30 secreted factors (multiplex ELISA) using flow cytometry technology.

Results: Significantly(P<0.05) increased proportion of neutrophils, eosinophils and NLR along with significantly decreased natural killer(NK) cells, T cells and B cell subsets in Ca-ROCM compared to other groups. NK decrease was distinct with AUC=0.990;P<0.001; sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 93.8%. Significant increase in inflammatory cytokines with a significant decrease in IFNa was observed in Ca-ROCM. Conclusion: Novel changes in anti-fungal immunity is observed in Ca-ROCM. NK cells can differentiate COVID-19 patients with increased risk of mucormycosis.

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