Fungal disease of the nose and sinuses: an updated overview.

Abstract

Fungal diseases of the nose and sinuses encompasses a diverse spectrum of disease. Clinical manifestations are largely dependent upon the immune status of the host, as, given the ubiquitous nature of these organisms, exposure is unavoidable. Asymptomatic colonization of the nasal passages by fungi warrants no treatment and is common, while allergic fungal rhinosinusitis is challenging and often requires a combined approach of surgical intervention, immunotherapy, and corticosteroid administration. A diagnosis requires a combination of IgE immune reactivity, eosinophilic infiltration, and fungi recovery. Similarly, invasive disease may present only after several months of slowly progressive disease, or in rapid and fulminant fashion in the appropriate host. A differentiation of these overlapping syndromes and the pathophysiologic processes at play, and recommended treatment algorithms, are the focus of this review.

• Authors: Christopher Chang, M Eric Gershwin, George R Thompson 3rd
• Journal: Current allergy and asthma reports (Curr Allergy Asthma Rep) Vol. 13 Issue 2 Pg. 152-61 (Apr 2013) ISSN: 1534-6315 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23135919 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids

Topics

• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunotherapy
• Mycoses (diagnosis, microbiology, therapy)
• Nasal Surgical Procedures
• Nose Diseases (diagnosis, microbiology, therapy)
• Paranasal Sinus Diseases (diagnosis, microbiology, therapy)