[Fungal allergy in chronic rhinosinusitis with or without polyps].
OBJECTIVE
Fungi, by systemic or local allergic effect, may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). We investigated the incidence of fungal allergy in patients with CRS and its effect on the clinical characteristics of the disease.


METHODS
The study included 127 patients, aged 18 years or over, with CRS (42 females, 85 males; mean age 43+/-12 years; range 19 to 78 years). Fungal allergy was determined by skin prick test and its effect was analyzed on blood eosinophil and total immunoglobulin E levels, the presence of polyps, and paranasal sinus computed tomography scores.


RESULTS
Eighty-five patients (66.9%) were found to have allergy. The incidence of allergy did not differ between patients with and without polyps (p>0.05). House dust mites (62.2%) were the most frequent allergens. The incidence of fungal allergy was 38.8% in allergic patients. Isolated fungal allergy was detected in two patients (1.6%). The most frequent fungal allergens were Aspergillus, followed by Alternaria, and Penicillium. No association was found between fungal allergy and blood eosinophil and total immunoglobulin E levels, presence of polyps, or paranasal sinus computed tomography scores (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of fungal allergy in patients with CRS was found to be high in this study. Tissue culture studies are required to determine the definitive relationship between fungal allergy and clinical features of CRS.
Erbek
Selim S
SS
Department of Otolaryngology, Medicine Faculty of Başkent University, Ankara, Turkey. selimerbek@gmail.com
Topal
Ozgül
O
Erbek
Seyra
S
Cakmak
Ozcan
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification; D000528:Alternaria / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000276:immunology; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D015994:Incidence; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D010407:Penicillium / Q000276:immunology; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E