RESUMO
AIM: The aim of this work was to assessment the role of mould fungi and the allergy on fungi in chronic rhinosinusitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 30 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without polyposis who underwent endoscopic nose and sinuses procedures. Clinical and immunological workup was performed for atopy in all patients. We performed CT of the sinuses, skin-prick testing on 15 fungal allergens, total IgE and fungal-specific IgE levels, eosinophilia level. Specimens were sent for mycology and histopathologic analysis for identification of fungi. RESULTS: Fungal culture from sinuses were negative in all patients. Bacterial culture were positive in 19 cases. There was observed elevated total immunoglobulin E level in 70% of patients. Positive skin test reactivity for fungal allergen was observed in 7 patients--3 for Aspergillus, 2 for Alternaria and 2 for Cladosporium. Fungal specific IgE levels were below 0.35 KU/L in all patients. Nasal polyps were found in 26 patients, they were associated with asthma and aspirin intollerance. No fungal hyphae were found in histopathologic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary study suggest, that allergy for fungi doesn't play a significant role in etiology and pathogenesis of the chronic rhinosinusitis with or without polyps. We did't find any case of the allergic fungal sinusitis in our patients.
