A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF ETIOLOGICAL AGENTS OF FUNGAL RHINOSINUSITIS FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN HIMACHAL PRADESH.

Background and objective: Rhinosinusitis, clinically is co-existence of both sinusitis and rhinitis which cannot be differentiated physiologically and pathophysiologically from one another and are diagnostic terminologies related to clinical features of effected para-nasal sinuses and the nose. Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) can be acute or chronic depending upon the duration of symptoms as well as invasive and non-invasive form based on histopathological evidence. Fungi are common cause of rhinosinusitis and incidence is increasing day by day. One year retrospective study w.e.f. August 2022 to July 2023 in a tertiary care hospital was done to evaluate the fungal prole of clinically suspected patients of FRS. A Methodology: total of 44 samples were processed during the study period and were subjected to direct microscopic examination by KOH mount and fungal culture. Samples includes nasal crusts, nasal scrapings , tissue biopsy samples following FESS (Functional endoscopic sinus surgery) and pus from sinuses. Result:In 44 samples , fungal elements were seen in 7 (15.91% ) and no fungal elements were seen in 37 ( 84.09%) on KOH mount. Fungal growth was obtained in 6 ( 13.64%) and no fungal growth obtained in 38 ( 86.36% ) samples on fungal culture. Rhizopus was the most common isolate ( 42.86%) followed by Aspergillus ( 28.58%). Early diagnosis and treatment of FRS is important to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with angio-invasive nature of common etiological fungal agents.