title: Novel treatment of allergic fungal sinusitis using omalizumab.
abstract: A case report of recalcitrant allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) refractory to systemic corticosteroids and multiple functional endoscopic sinus surgeries (FESSs) treated with anti-IgE antibody omalizumab is reported. AFS is often classified with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Although similar symptoms are among the two diseases, AFS has a unique pathophysiology. Patients with AFS demonstrate type 1 hypersensitivity to fungal allergens, increased total serum IgE, increased CD8(+) T-cell prevalence, and IL-4 and IL-5 response. Omalizumab should be considered in the treatment of AFS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium.
authors.forename: Martin Oman
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Christopher Albert
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Coop