Cases Of Allergic Fungal Sinusitis Research Articles

Role of interleukin-5 in allergic fungal sinusitis: deeper insight

BackgroundChronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is an allergic response characterized by type 2 inflammatory reactions mediated by T helper 2 cells (Th2). Th2 is characterized by elevated type 2 cytokines related to the humoral response, including Interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-25 and IL-33. Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is a distinguishable form of CRSwNP and is characterized by primary localized disease with non-invasive fungal hyphae, which causes immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated mucosal hypersensitivity resulting in the formation of eosinophilic mucin. Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is a pro-inflammatory factor that plays a very important role in eosinophil biology.ObjectiveTo explore the relation between IL-5 tissue protein expression and AFS.MethodsA prospective study performed on 70 patients divided into 2 groups (50 cases of AFS and 20 control who underwent septoplasty and partial inferior turbinectomy) to assess the role of IL5 in AFS compared to control.ResultsIL-5 was overexpressed in polyps of AFS patients compared to the control group denoting AFS as an eosinophilic mediated type 2 inflammation and highlighting a positive correlation with Lund MacKay radiological score and Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) score for severity of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms.ConclusionIL-5 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and severity of AFS. Thus, our results provide encouraging evidence supporting targeting IL5 as an eligible therapy of promising benefits in AFS.

Noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis: a case series

Introduction:Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) remains a rare disease. The noninvasive forms are hard to diagnose. The management protocols remain controversial. We aim to describe the clinical, radiological and pathological features of noninvasive FRS and present our management protocol and follow-up results. Patients and methods:This descriptive study was conducted in the ear-nose-throat department of the university hospital, Taher Sfar in Mahdia, Tunisia. All patients who responded to the definition of noninvasive FRS (fungal balls and allergic fungal sinusitis) were included. The study was conducted over a three year period (May 2017 - April 2021). Results:Eleven patients were included in this study: four cases of fungal balls and seven cases of allergic fungal sinusitis. Patients presented with symptoms of chronic recurrent rhinosinusitis with no response to conventional treatments. Computed tomodensitometry scan showed opacification of the paranasal sinuses in all patients. Other signs were heterogeneous opacities, local calcifications and thinning of the bony walls of the sinuses. Histopathological findings were inflammatory polyps in all cases of allergic FRS with the presence of fungal hyphae in 42.8% of the cases. All patients underwent surgery after a median delay of 12 [6-24] months of the symptom's onset. The used procedures were endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy for all patients, ethmoidectomy (81.8%) and sphenoidotomy (36.4%). None received systemic antifungals or corticosteroids with a favorable outcome in all cases. Conclusion:Symptoms of noninvasive FRS are nonspecific. The scan images contribute to the diagnosis, but the perioperative findings and the histopathological results remain crucial. The management is mainly surgical.

Clinical, Radiological, and Histopathological Patterns of Allergic Fungal Sinusitis: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

ObjectivesTo explore the clinical, pathological, and imaging characteristics of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) and to analyze the correlation of disease duration with imaging and histopathology findings.MethodsWe reviewed all cases of AFS managed at the otorhinolaryngology department of King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Demographic and clinical features were collected, as well as imaging and histopathological findings, which were analyzed by time from onset.ResultsForty-six patients were diagnosed AFS, representing 11.8% of total sinusitis cases; 25 (54.3%) were female, with mean (SD) age=33.57 (11.76). Patients presented with multiple symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (43, 93.5%), chronic headache (14, 30.4%), and hyposmia (2, 4.3%), and 36 (78.3%) were diagnosed late (≥5 years after onset). AFS involved all four sinuses in 32 (69.6%) patients and was bilateral in >53.5% of infected sinuses. Imaging showed increased intrasinus attenuation (88.2%-95.3%), complete opacification (74.4%-85.3%), sinus expansion (35.3%-51.2%), remodeling (20.6%-37.2%), wall thinning (41.2%-58.1%), and involvement of adjacent soft tissue (11.8%-25.6%), depending on the sinus type. Histology evidenced eosinophilic mucin (45.7%), eosinophils (91.3%), fungal hyphae (93.5%), and Charcot-Leyden crystals (6.5%). Patients who were diagnosed late had a higher percentage of imaging and pathological lesions, principally, the expansion and wall thinning of involved sinuses (p<0.050).ConclusionAFS represents a significant proportion of chronic sinusitis cases treated in the otorhinolaryngology department and is often diagnosed late with extensive forms. Major efforts should be made to improve the early diagnosis and management of such disease, including raising awareness about this entity among general practitioners and family physicians to enhance clinical suspicion and detection rate.

Two Cases of Allergic Fungal Sinusitis with Differing Postoperative Course

Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) often develops in unilateral paranasal sinuses, which must be differentiated from tumors. When AFS develops on both sides, however, it must be differentiated from eosinophilic chronic sinusitis with evident eosinophilic infiltration at nasal/paranasal sinus mucosa; both conditions are highly recurrent and commonly considered intractable paranasal sinusitis. Surgical correction is the primary treatment method for AFS, as it is essential to connect the paranasal sinus communication to ensure exhaustive resection of the pathologic mucosa and for nasal steroids to reach each paranasal sinus. We recently encountered two AFS cases with differing postoperative courses. Case 1 showed evident exacerbation in the computed tomography findings, which suggests progression to eosinophilic sinusitis. Case 2 showed a benign prognosis without recurrence. Close long-term follow-up should be mandatory after surgery for the treatment of AFS.

Allergic fungal sinusitis caused by Schizophyllum commune

A case of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) due to Schizophyllum commune was reported. The pathogen was identified using molecular bioanalysis. The patient underwent the functional endoscopic sinus surgery followed by the radical maxillary sinusotomy with canine fossa trephine. This case suggested that complete surgery allowed optimal disease clearance for AFS caused by Schizophyllum commune.

접형동에 국한된 세균성 부비동염으로 오인된 알레르기성 진균성 부비동염 1예

접형동에 국한된 세균성 부비동염으로 오인된 알레르기성 진균성 부비동염 1예

Sublingual Immunotherapy for Allergic Fungal Sinusitis.

Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is a condition that has an allergic basis caused by exposure to fungi in the sinonasal tract leading to chronic inflammation. Despite standard treatment modalities, which typically include surgery and medical management of allergies, patients still have a high rate of recurrence. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) has been used as adjuvant treatment for AFS. Evidence exists to support the use of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) as a safe and efficacious method of treating allergies, but no studies have assessed the utility of SLIT in the management of allergic fungal sinusitis. A record review of cases of AFS that are currently or previously treated with sublingual immunotherapy from 2007 to 2011 was performed. Parameters of interest included serum IgE levels, changes in symptoms, Lund-McKay scores, decreased sensitization to fungal allergens associated with AFS, and serum IgE levels. Ten patients with diagnosed AFS were treated with SLIT. No adverse effects related to the use of SLIT therapy were identified. Decreases in subjective complaints, exam findings, Lund-McKay scores, and serum IgE levels were observed. Thus, sublingual immunotherapy appears to be a safe adjunct to the management of AFS that may improve patient outcomes.

Chrysosporium : An Uncommon Fungus in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis is one of the commonest health problem encountered in rhinology. Of these allergic fungal rhinosinusitis forms a significant group of patients. Patients commonly present with typical symptoms of sinusitis and the diagnosis is often made after imaging and/or intraoperatively. We report a rare case of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) caused by Chrysosporium species in a 70-year-old male with no co-morbidities. The fungus was isolated from allergic mucin collected from the sinuses. Therapy with intravenous Voriconazole was given leading to good relief for the patient, and no recurrences have occurred till date. Infections caused by Chrysosporium species are very rare, and is very rarely been reported to cause sinusitis in humans.

A rare presentation of orbital complication of invasive fungal sinusitis in an immunocompetent young boy-a rare case

We present a case of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) in a 24 -year old man with history of left sided nasal obstruction and discharge since few years. Since few months he developed epiphora in the left eye associated with discomfort on eye movements. Patient was examined and CT with contrast was done. CT contrast showed an enhancing lesion in Left maxillary and ethmoid sinuses and erosion of the inferior bony wall of the orbit and medial wall of maxillary sinus. Though most patients of fungal sinusitis are immunocompromised but this patient was young male immunocompetent and made an unusual presentation with visual epiphora and painful eye movements. CT showed bony erosion of the Left inferior Bony wall of the Orbit and medial wall of Maxillary Sinus. After through examination and specific investigations, the patient was posted for surgery. We planed for Cald well –Luc’s Surgery and Endoscopic excision of the mass .Histological examination was reported as non malignant and microscopy showed Fungal Hyphae. After the surgery patient was discharged satisfactorily within couple of days and followed up regularly. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-1, 48-51 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i1.6826

Molecular Identification of Schizophyllum commune as a Cause of Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

Schizophyllum commune, a basidiomycetous fungus, rarely causes disease in humans. We report a rare case of allergic fungal sinusitis caused by S. commune in a 14-yr-old girl. The patient presented with nasal obstruction and a purulent nasal discharge. Materials obtained during endoscopic surgery of the frontal recess revealed allergic mucin and a few fungal hyphae. A potato dextrose agar (PDA) culture from the allergic mucin yielded a rapidly growing white woolly mold. Although no distinctive features including hyphae bearing spicules or a clamp connection were present, the case isolate disclosed compatible mycological features including growth at 37℃, susceptibility to cycloheximide, and production of a tart and disagreeable smell. S. commune was confirmed by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region and D1/D2 regions of the 26S ribosomal DNA. We believe this is the first report of allergic fungal sinusitis caused by S. commune in Korea. Moreover, this report highlights the value of gene sequencing as an identification tool for non-sporulating isolates of S. commune.

The Adenoid Inflammation of Children with Rhinosinusitis and Alternaria Hypersensitivity

S A T U R D A Y 170 Eleven Year Follow Up of an African-American Adolescent with Destructive Sinus Disease and Intermittent Asthma Diagnosed with Allergic Fungal Sinusitis (AFS) and Incidentally Found to have Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis (ABPM) A. G. Hall, A. E. Morris, G. D. Marshall, Jr; University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS. RATIONALE: AFS is a noninvasive fungal sinusitis in individuals with fungal-specific IgE, intractable sinusitis, and nasal polyposis. ABPM is suggested to be lower airway manifestation of similar process. In rare cases, these diseases have occurred concomitantly. To our knowledge, no cases of AFS and ABPM in the same patient have been reported for this length of time. METHODS: Spirometry, CT sinuses and chest, total IgE, endoscopic sinus surgery, bronchoscopy. RESULTS: Initial presentation of this 17yo African-American male has been reported (Chest 2002;121:1670-6). After initial diagnosis in 2000, he received frequent prednisone bursts for exacerbations. Beginning in 2004, he required chronic prednisone for progression of bronchiectasis. IgE peaked at 8222 IU/mL before chronic steroids initiated, decreasing to 2000s-4000s while asymptomatic and in response to steroid bursts, and spiking to 6000s during exacerbations. Spirometry demonstrated improvement from moderate-severe obstruction to mild obstruction on prednisone. Six years following initial sinus surgery he had recurrence of nasal polyps with impacted allergic mucin and bony destruction requiring further surgical intervention. While off prednisone for 10 months in 2009, he had acute hemoptysis. CT showed cystic bronchiectasis and soft tissue lung mass concerning for systemic fungal infection versus lymphoma. Bronchoscopy confirmed APBM exacerbation. Since then he has remained stable in stage 4 ABPM with multiple attempts at weaning prednisone. CONCLUSIONS: His clinical course highlights challenges associated with managing AFS and ABPM over time. It also raises the question whether to consider screening for ABPM in patients with AFSwho present with even mild lower respiratory symptoms including intermittent asthma.

Is routine histopathological analysis of nasal polyposis specimens necessary?

Our objective is to evaluate the incidence of unexpected pathologies in routine nasal polyposis specimens and necessity for histopathological evaluation of nasal polyps. A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent nasal polyposis surgery between January 2004 and June 2010 were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with bilateral nasal polyposis. Group 2 consisted of patients with unilateral nasal polyposis. One hundred and seventeen patients (81 male, 36 female) were involved in this study. The mean age was 44.9 ± 17.7 years, ranging between 18 and 72 years. Group 1 consisted of bilateral nasal polyposis specimens. Eighty-five patients were identified with bilateral nasal polyposis. From these 85 patients, no specimens present any evidence of occult pathology on histopathological examination. Group 2 consisted of unilateral nasal polyposis specimens. There were two cases of allergic fungal sinusitis, two of inverting papilloma, one of mucocele, one of plasmacytoma, one of hemangioma, one of esthesioneuroblastoma, and one of schwannoma. Final histopathology of the remaining 23 patients was consistent with inflammation and/or nasal polyposis. We think that in cases of unilateral polyps histopathological examination of the entire material is mandatory. However, routine histological examination of bilateral nasal polyposis may possibly not be necessary in cases where the clinical assessment very clearly has not disclosed any unusual or suspicious signs.

Optic nerve compression in allergic fungal sinusitis

To describe the syndrome of optic nerve involvement in cases of allergic fungal sinusitis. Academic tertiary care centre. Analysis of prospectively accrued data for 10 consecutive cases (three bilateral, giving 13 eyes) with visual loss secondary to optic nerve compression, from a total of 70 cases of allergic fungal sinusitis undergoing surgical treatment between June 1997 and May 2007. The mean duration of rhinological symptoms prior to the onset of visual loss was 22 months. At presentation, visual loss ranged from a visual acuity of 6/12 to complete loss of light perception. Bilateral involvement was noted in three of the 10 cases. Urgent surgical decompression with removal of all fungal debris and decompression of the optic nerve resulted in visual recovery in seven of the 13 eyes. On univariate analysis, recovery was less likely in cases with long standing visual loss, and in cases with complete visual loss. Long standing allergic fungal sinusitis may be complicated by visual loss due to compression of the optic nerve. Urgent surgery to clear the sinuses and decompress the optic nerve is successful in reversing visual loss in cases with partial visual loss.

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis with skull base and orbital erosion

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis is a benign, noninvasive sinus disease related to hypersensitivity to fungal infection having bony skull base and orbital erosion as common finding. This descriptive study was conducted at the department of otorhinolaryngology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, from April 2003 to March 2006. In forty-seven proven cases of allergic fungal sinusitis the following information was recorded: demographic data, signs and symptoms, laboratory investigation results, imaging results, pre- and post-operative medical treatment, surgery performed, follow up, and residual or recurrent disease. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 10.0 software was used for data analysis. Findings indicated that allergic fungal rhinosinusitis usually occurred in the second decade of life (51.06 per cent) in males (70.21 per cent), allergic rhinitis (100 per cent) and nasal polyposis (100 per cent). Nasal obstruction (100 per cent), nasal discharge (89.36 per cent), postnasal drip (89.36 per cent), and unilateral nasal and paranasal sinus involvement (59.57 per cent) were significant features. Aspergillus (59.57 per cent) was the most common aetiological agent. Combined orbital and skull base erosion was seen in 30.04 per cent of cases, with male preponderance 6.8:1. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in all cases, and recurrent or residual disease was observed in 19.14 per cent. Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis is a disease of young, immunocompetent individual. Skull base and orbital erosion are seen in one-third of cases. Bone erosion is 6.8 times more common in males than females. Orbital erosion is 1.5 times more common than skull base erosion. Endoscopic surgical debridement and drainage combined with topical steroids leads to resolution of disease in the majority of cases, without resorting to systemic antifungal agents, craniotomy or dural resection.

Clinicopathologic evaluation of 36 cases of allergic fungal sinusitis

To characterize clinicopathological features of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS). Thirty-six cases of AFS were retrieved from the department archival files of Beijing Tongren Hospital from 2002 to 2006. AB-PAS, GMS and MUC5B stain were performed using paraffin-embedded tissues of the cases. Ten cases with available fresh diagnostic tissue were investigated by electron microscopy. Patients included 21 males and 15 females. The age of patients ranged from 11 to 53 years. Atopy was very common in these patients. On plain CT scans, the affected nasal sinuses were filled with soft tissue shadow with patchy hyperdensity. The bony sinus wall showed areas of pressure erosion. Skin antigen tests showed fungal positivity in 31 of 36 cases. Serum levels of the total IgE and/or the specific fungal IgE were elevated in 20 cases. The eosinophil quantity was elevated in 23 cases. Fungal culture was positive in 10 cases. Gross examination showed thick putty secretions within the lesions. Light microscopy showed typical "eosinophilic mucin". Fungal elements were seen with AB-PAS, GMS and MUC5B stains. Electron microscopy demonstrated degranulation by the eosinophils. "Eosinophilic mucin" is the typical histopathological feature of AFS. AB-PAS, GMS and MUC5B staining methods can used to detect fungal species in mucin. Accurate diagnosis of AFS requires correlations among clinical findings, radiologic examinations, laboratory tests and histopathologic features. However, the ultimate diagnosis requires a histopathologic confirmation.

Allergic fungal sinusitis with extensive bone erosion of the clivus presenting with diplopia

We report a case of allergic fungal sinusitis causing bone erosion and diplopia. A 43-year-old man presented with a four-month history of increased nasal congestion and progressive diplopia. Clinical examination revealed bilateral nasal polyposis and a right lateral gaze deficit, consistent with a VIth cranial nerve palsy. Computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses demonstrated a large sellar mass with extensive bony erosion and both supra- and infra-sellar extension. An endoscopic approach to the sphenoid sinus, clivus and posterior cranial fossa with image guidance was performed, enabling surgical treatment involving nasal polypectomy, wide marsupialisation of the sphenoid sinus and removal of the extensive allergic fungal mucin. The patient awoke from anaesthesia with complete resolution of his diplopia. Otolaryngologists should be aware that approximately 20 per cent of patients with allergic fungal sinusitis demonstrate paranasal sinus expansion and bone erosion involving surrounding anatomical structures. Such patients may have clinical findings involving the orbit and cranial vault.

Significance of MUC5B antibody in differential diagnosis between Aspergillus species and Mucorales of fungal sinusitis

To differentiate between Aspergillus species and Mucorales of fungal sinusitis by immunohistochemistry. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 66 cases of fungal sinusitis were retrieved from the archival files of Department of Pathology of Beijing Tongren Hospital during the period from 2001 to 2006. The samples included 29 cases of fungal balls, 12 cases of allergic fungal sinusitis, 24 cases of chronic invasive fungal sinusitis and 1 case of acute invasive fungal sinusitis. The types of fungi were 44 Aspergillus species (31 cases of A. fumigatus, 7 cases of A. flavus and 6 cases of A. terreus) and 22 Mucorales (14 cases of Mucor species and 8 cases of Rhizopus species). Immunohistochemistry was performed with MUC2, MUC5AC and MUC5B antibodies. The results were compared with histochemical study for periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Grocott methenamine silver (GMS) stains. Immunohistochemical study for MUC5B showed that the positive rate of Aspergillus species was 90.9%, in contrast to 4.5% in Mucorales (P < 0.001). The expression of MUC2 and MUC5AC was completely negative, whereas PAS and GMS stains were positive in all cases. MUC5B antibody appears to be a useful immunohistochemical marker for identifying fungal types in tissue sections, especially in distinguishing between Aspergillus species and Mucorales in fungal sinusitis.

Association between nasal polyposis, Dubowitz syndrome and hyper-IgE syndrome

Dubowitz syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by intrauterine growth retardation, short stature, microcephaly, distinct facial dysmorphism, and psychomotoric retardation. The hyper-immunoglobulin E (hyper-IgE or Job syndrome) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent staphylococcal abscesses, recurrent cyst-forming pneumonia, and an elevated serum IgE level of >2000 IU/ml. We present the first case to our knowledge of an association between Dubowitz syndrome, hyper-IgE syndrome, and nasal polyposis (due to allergic fungal sinusitis) in a 14-year-old girl. Eosinophilic inflammatory reaction is the feature present in all three conditions. Unlike most cases of allergic fungal sinusitis, this case was not treated with an initial booster of oral steroids due to the risk of disseminated invasive fungal infection, reported in other cases of hyper-IgE syndrome. The case and its management is presented and discussed.

Usefulness of Fungiflora Y to detect fungus in a frozen section of allergic mucin

Allergic fungal sinusitis is a non-invasive disease characterized by pansinusitis with nasal polyps, with most causative agents being members of the dematiaceous fungi. Reported herein is the ninth Japanese case of allergic fungal sinusitis; an Alternaria species was culturally identified as the etiological agent. The present patient, a 32-year-old man, presented with multiple sinusitis and nasal polyps. Allergic mucin, which is a histological hallmark of this disease, was examined intraoperatively on frozen section. Although characteristic histology, including laminated masses of mucin and aggregates of eosinophils, was seen in HE-stained sections, fungal hyphae were scarce and recognized merely as clear spaces. Because fluorescent stilbene derivatives seem useful for the rapid detection of fungi, Fungiflora Y, a commercially available staining kit that includes a fluorescent stilbene derivative, was applied to the sections, and hyphae were successfully visualized using a fluorescence microscope. This stain takes only several minutes to perform. It is concluded that Fungiflora Y should be used when fungal elements are hard to find on HE stain, especially in cases in which rapid detection of fungus is requested.

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis Associated with Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis: An Uncommon Sinobronchial Allergic Mycosis

The identification of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is still controversial and much more recent than that of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Their association has been reported very rarely in the literature. The aim of this study was to present a review of 6 cases of AFS associated with ABPA from a series of 12 cases of AFS and to compare AFS associated with ABPA and isolated AFS. All cases of AFS presented with chronic rhinosinusitis. The six cases with AFS and ABPA were atopic, asthmatic, with pulmonary infiltrates (five cases), central bronchiectasis (four cases), and both (three cases). The mycological and immunoallergological features of isolated AFS and AFS associated with ABPA were similar: eosinophilic allergic mucin with noninvasive fungi hyphae, high levels of blood eosinophils, total IgE, specific IgE, IgG, and positive skin tests to Aspergillus. The association of AFS and ABPA was concomitant (two cases) or remote in time (four cases). The treatment with oral corticosteroids and sinus surgery (six cases) associated with antifungal drugs (four cases) led to resolution in three cases, considerable improvement in one case, and therapeutic failure in two cases (follow-up longer than 5 years in all cases). Independently of the signs linked to the organs involved (sinuses and bronchi) the mycological and immunoallergological features were similar for AFS and AFS associated with ABPA. AFS and ABPA can be isolated or associated in a sinobronchial allergic