How Effective Is Normal Saline Irrigation in Eradicating Nasal Fungal Flora?

Abstract

Background: Human exposure to fungal elements is inevitable. Normal inhalation routinely deposits fungal spores within the nose and paranasal sinuses. The incidence of fungal infections is increasing because of the greater use of immunosuppressive agents, increasing incidence of transplantation, chemotherapy, HIV infection, and diabetes mellitus (DM)
 Objectives: The aim of this research was to study the effects of nasal irrigation with normal saline on eliminating nasal fungal flora.
 Methods: In this pilot study, we studied the clinical efficacy of nasal saline irrigation on healthy individuals. Nasal swabs were used to get the nasal samples from 140 cases, 90 women and 50 men, living in Tehran. Those cases with positive fungal cultures underwent nasal saline irrigation. They were reevaluated with nasal sampling and culture after a week.
 Results: Positive fungal culture was detected in 22 cases (15.7%): Saprophyte fungi were the most common (45.4%). After nasal saline irrigation, negative fungal cultures were found in 54.5% of cases (P-value = 0.0009).
 Conclusions: This study demonstrates that nasal irrigation with nasal saline is safe and effective in the eradication of nasal fungal flora. So, it may be useful in the prevention and management of all types of fungal rhinosinusitis.