Rhinosporidiosis: the largest case series in Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic infection of the mucous membrane and is caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, an aquatic mesomycetozoan. The mode of infection is probably transepithelial penetration. The large number of rivers and lakes and the strong presence of riparian populations in the State of Maranhão are strong predisposing factors for rhinosporidiosis.


METHODS
A 5-year retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary medical center situated in Maranhão, Northeast Brazil. Twenty-five Maranhense patients diagnosed with rhinosporidiosis were analyzed.


RESULTS
Most of the patients were children, adolescents and young adults (age range: 7-24 years, mean age: 14 years). The majority of the participants were male (84%), brown (76%), and students (92%). All lesions involved the entire nasal cavity and presented with a vascular polypoid mass. All patients were treated by surgical excision of the lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Rhinosporidiosis affects younger age groups, especially students from the countryside and the outskirts of urban areas. This study will aid and guide physicians in diagnosing and treating this infection in endemic areas.
Hospital Universitário Presidente Dutra, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.|Rhinosporidiosis Research Group, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.
Francílio Araújo
FA
Almeida
Hospital Universitário Presidente Dutra, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.|Rhinosporidiosis Research Group, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.
Laisson de Moura
Lde M
Feitoza
Hospital Universitário Presidente Dutra, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.|Rhinosporidiosis Research Group, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.
Jaqueline Diniz
JD
Pinho
Rhinosporidiosis Research Group, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.|UniversidadeCentro Universitário do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.
George Castro Figueira de
GC
Mello
Hospital Universitário Presidente Dutra, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.|Rhinosporidiosis Research Group, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.
Joyce Santos
JS
Lages
Hospital Universitário Presidente Dutra, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.|Rhinosporidiosis Research Group, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.
Fábio França
FF
Silva
Rhinosporidiosis Research Group, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.|Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.
Raimunda Ribeiro da
RR
Silva
Rhinosporidiosis Research Group, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.|Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil.|Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Gyl Eanes Barros
GE
Silva
D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012227:Rhinosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult