Author/Authors :
Razmpa, E Department of Otolaryngology - School of Medicine - Medical Sciences/University of Tehran , Khajavi, M Department of Otolaryngology - School of Medicine - Medical Sciences/Shaheed Beheshti University, Tehran , Hadipour-Jahromi, M General Practitioner - School of Medicine - Medical Sciences - University of Tehran , Kordbacheh, P Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology - School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research - Medical Sciences - University of Tehran
Abstract :
For many years, it was thought that nasal polyps are small tumors of the nasal or sinus
mucosa. However, it is now believed that nasal polyps are formed as a result of frequent local swelling
of nasal or sinus mucosa, which enlarge by increasing sub-mucosal edema and then expose to the air
pipe and cause some symptoms. However, the main cause of polyp formation is not exactly understood.
The prevalence of disease is 1-4% of population. With increasing use of antibiotics, many fungi both
saprophytes and pathogens are appeared in many diseases. We also cannot rule out the importance of
fungal infections in large cities because of air pollution. In this study, attempts were made to investigate
prevalence of fungal infections in nasal polyposis, and suggest suitable treatment in addition to the
routine one. During 7 months, polyp samples from patients with nasal polyposis were collected. From
the total amount of samples (50), both direct test with 10% KOH and culture with Sabouraud’s dextrose
agar were performed. In direct test, 42% of samples were positive for fungus. 34% of samples showed
fungal colonization in culture, which include 30% Aspergillus flavus and 4% Aspergillus fumigatus.
However, none of invasive fungi were found in pathological lamella. Regarding to our results, it seems
the high prevalence of fungal colonization in nasal polyposis may explain etiological factors, reasons of
growth, increasing in numbers, and frequent recurrence of nasal polyps to some extent.
