CLINICO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH RHINOSPORIDIOSIS AT TERTIARY CARE CENTRE: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Rhinosporidiosis is a rare chronic granulomatous infection of the mucous membranes caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. It is mostly prevalent in India and Sri Lanka. In India, the disease is endemic to Chhattisgarh, South India (mostly Kerala & Tamil Nadu), West Bengal and Odisha. To observe the clinical presentati Aim: on and epidemiological factors in Rhinosporidiosis. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional Materials and Methods: study in 42 clinically diagnosed Rhinosporidiosis cases, who were surgically treated in the department over a period of 1 year, from October 2021 to October 2022 and diagnosis was confirmed by post excision histopathological examination. Results: This study involved 42 clinically diagnosed cases of Rhinosporidiosis. Majority (76.2%) of patients were males and 23.8% were females. The male to female ratio was found to be 3.2:1. Most common age group was 11-20 years. All 42 patients had history of pond bathing and 60% cases were from Rural area. 54.8% of cases belonged to lower middle and 40.5% cases belonged to lower socio-economic class. 97.6% cases had mass in Nose and nasopharynx, most common presenting complaint was Nasal obstruction (92.85%). Most common Site of attachment of mass was Inferior meatus (45.23%) and Nasopharynx (38%). O+ was most common blood group seen in 19 cases (45.23%) followed by A+ in 12 (28.57%), B+ in 8 (19%). The results of the study showed that the disease was associated with male g Conclusion: ender, young and middle age, low socio-economic status, rural population and pond bathing and O+ blood group. Most common site involved was Nose and Nasopharynx and most common attachment of mass was seen in inferior meatus