RHINOSPORIDIOSIS

RHINOSPORIDIOSIS


RHINOSPORIDIOSIS

  • Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous infection of the mucous membranes.
  • Manifests as vascular friable polyps that arise from the nasal mucosa or external structures of the eye.
  • It is endemic in India and Sri Lanka.

CAUSE OF RHINOSPORIDIOSIS

  • The etiologic agent is R seeberi.
  • Rhinosporidium seeberi is an aquatic bacterium (not a fungus).
  • Recent RNA gene analysis has placed R seeberi into a novel group of aquatic parasites of the class Mesomycetozoea.
  • Most persons with rhinosporidiosis have had bathing or working exposure to stagnant water.

Although traditionally regarded as a fungus, it is now considered a protistan parasite belonging to the class Mesomycetozoea.

CLINICAL FEATURES

  • Rhinosporidiosis is an infection that is typically limited to the mucosal epithelium. 
  • Sex: Men are affected more commonly than women, with a male-to-female ratio of 4:1.Age:The disease most commonly occurs in children and in individuals aged 15-40 years.
    • Infection of the nose and nasopharynx is observed in 70% of persons with rhinosporidiosis.
    • Infection of the palpebral conjunctivae or associated structures (including the lacrimal apparatus) is observed in 15%.
  • Nasal disease may present with unilateral nasal obstruction or epistaxis.

Other symptoms may include :

  • local pruritus, coryza with sneezing, rhinorrhea, and postnasal discharge (drip) with cough.
    • Patients often report a sensation that a foreign body is present in their nasal canal.
    • Eye involvement is initially asymptomatic. 
    • Increased tearing may be reported as the disease progresses. 
    • Photophobia, redness, and secondary infection may occur.

Soft polyps may develop on the nose or eye.

  • These polyps are pink to deep red, are sessile or pedunculated, and are often described as strawberrylike in appearance.
  • This appearance results from sporangia, which is visible as gray or yellow spots in the vascular polypoid masses.
  • Because the polyps of rhinosporidiosis are vascular and friable, they bleed easily upon manipulation.

TREATMENT

  • Rhinosporidiosis is treated with surgical excision.C
  • Complete excision of mass is done with diathermy knife & cauterization of base.
  • Dapsone has been tried with some success.

Exam Important

  • Rhinosporidiosis presents as a nasal polypoidal mass.
  • Rhinosporidiosis presnts as a fungal granuloma.
  • The etiologic agent of rhinosporidiosis, R seeberi, has traditionally been considered a fungus.
  • Recent RNA gene analysis has placed R seeberi into a novel group of aquatic parasites .
  • Surgery is the treatment  in a case of Rhinosporidiosis.
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