Aspergillus Sinusitis: Risk Factors and Phenotyping

Abstract

Background: Aspergillus can cause fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS). We aimed to identify risk factors for sinonasal Aspergillus disease. Methods: Patients with a positive sinonasal mycological culture for Aspergillus species diagnosed in our hospital located in a continental climate were included in the 9-year retrospective study. Results: Of the 86 patients, 3 had invasive FRS (IFRS), 51 had fungal ball (FB) disease, and 32 had chronic rhinosinusitis with fungus (CFRS). In the IFRS group, all patients had a malignancy and were immunocompromised. Allergies, allergic rhinitis, asthma, nasal polyps, and the use of inhaled and nasal steroids were more common in the CFRS group, and IgE levels were greater than those in the FB and IRFS groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: FB disease is a relatively symptom-free single-sinus disease among elderly individuals, and IFRS is dominant among immunocompromised patients. We discovered a third patient group, predominantly with nasal polyps, atopy, asthma, and elevated blood IgE and eosinophils, that did not fulfill the allergic FRS (AFRS) criteria. It is possible that a less fulminant category of underdiagnosed AFRS exists in cold climates. Treatment with local debridement is usually sufficient for FRS, apart from IFRS, and relapses are not common in cold climates.