Detection of fungi in the sinus mucosa using polymerase chain reaction.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the presence of fungi in the sinus mucosa of patients with and without chronic rhinosinusitis.


METHODS
Prospective observational study using polymerase chain reaction and conventional culture to detect fungi in the sinus mucosa. Middle meatus mucosal samples were collected from 31 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and 14 control subjects.


RESULTS
Fungi were detected in 6.5% of subjects with chronic rhinosinusitis and in none of the control subjects using polymerase chain reaction. Fungi were detected in 29% of subjects with the combination of inhalant allergies, nasal polyposis, and asthma. Fungi were detected in none of the subjects without the combination of these three comorbidities (P = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Polymerase chain reaction assay appears to be able to detect fungi in chronic rhinosinusitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Fungi may not be implicated in the pathogenesis of most chronic rhinosinusitis.


METHODS
B-3b.
Rao
Arvin K
AK
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-9200, USA.
Mathers
Peter H
PH
Ramadan
Hassan H
HH
D002908:Chronic Disease; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis*; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000382:microbiology; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000382:microbiology*
D004271:DNA, Fungal