New Delhi, May 22 (TIWN) A novel complication of mucormycosis or black fungus has been detected in a city hospital here in which the fungal infection infected the lower intestine of two patients, including a 56-year-old who lost three family members, including his wife, due to Covid.

Both the patients, including one aged 68 years, are being treated at Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for more than a week. "It is observed for the first time that the black fungus infected the lower intestine and even made a hole in it," said Ganga Ram Hospital authorities.  Kumar (name changed on request), a resident of Delhi, had barely completed the last rites of his wife when he experienced pain in his abdomen. He had been tested positive for Covid along with his wife and had been experiencing mild covid symptoms initially.  The patient's abdominal pain was considered gastritis or stress-related and self-medication for acidity was taken which delayed proper treatment by three days, said authorities at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.  Kumar was evaluated in Covid emergency of Ganga Ram Hospital by Dr Ushast Dhir, senior consultant in department of Surgical Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation. 

"The CT scan revealed Kumar's small intestine (jejunum) had been perforated. His Covid disease also had worsened by now requiring ventilator support. The patient was admitted and taken up urgently for surgery."