Fighting misconceptions

Scientific Clarification on the so-called “Black Fungi” and co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID 19).

From the Chair of Microbiology and the Chair of Infectious diseases of the School of Medical Sciences of the Universidad de Mendoza and considering that they have Academic Units and a Specialist in the subject area of ​​reference –Medical Mycology-, we consider collaborating with the medical and non-medical community, providing certain essential details to avoid confusion and / or conceptual errors.

Our contribution is based on the knowledge of a discipline of Microbiology with a focus within constructive criticism and based on scientific evidence, taking as a frame of reference the knowledge endorsed by national and international literature. We understand to contribute in this way to the learning not only of those who have the responsibility to inform (journalistic, television, radio, graphic, social media, etc.) but in particular, of the students themselves who in full academic training must have access to the good information. That which is also transmitted by teachers, throughout the entire teaching and professional training process.

The objective of this document is to correct concepts that are being erroneously disseminated about microorganisms commonly called “Black fungi” associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19) and its marked difference from the biological, morphological, taxonomic, epidemiological, pathophysiological, clinical presentation and treatment with the fungi of the Family Zygomycetes and Mucormycosis, which have nothing to do with black mushrooms.

• The term that is being used as "black fungus" is being misused since the fungal infections referred to in the press do not belong to the phylum of the Pheohifomycosis but to the phylum of the Glomeromycotas class Glomeromycetes (formerly Zigomycetes). called genus Mucormycosis -Order Mucorales.
• The confusion is probably caused by the clinical presentation, since being angioinvasive, they necrosis of the tissue and it becomes cyanotic, acquiring a black color.

 

These are news that have emerged in recent days both in the local, national and international press, detecting, from the scientific community, a error and incorrect information, based on its bad name; which somehow instills panic, and increases the fear, anxiety and stress that world society experiences in the context of the pandemic. -

 

Professor of Microbiology Chair
Associate Prof. Infectious Diseases
School of Medical Sciences
Universidad de Mendoza
Microbiologist-Mycologist
Prof. Dr. Hugo Pagella
Mat 670

 

SCIENTIFIC CLARIFICATION ON THE SO-CALLED “BLACK FUNGI” AND COINFECTION WITH SARS-COV-2 (COVID 19).

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