Abstract

MASILELA, MMJ; SELEPE, MS  and  MASILO., L. Nasal Rhinosporidiosis in South Africa: Review of literature and report of a case. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2017, vol.72, n.9, pp.420-423. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2017/v72no9a4.

BACKGROUND: Rhinosporidiosis is a rare chronic granulomatous infection presenting primarily on the mucous membrane of nasal cavities, nasopharynx and oral cavity. Rhinosporidium seeberi has been identified as the causative agent; however recent studies have implicated a waterborne organism, the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, as the cause. It is endemic in India and Sri Lanka where 90% of all infections occur. The aim of this paper is to review literature on rhinosporidiosis and to report on one of the sporadic cases encountered in South Africa, Gauteng province.CASE PRESENTATION: A 17 year old black male patient presented with a pedunculated nasal mass causing nasal obstruction. Microscopical examination showed a polypoid mass with numerous thick walled sporangia in a background of fibrovascular connective tissue stroma with granulomatous inflammation. Fluorescent microscopy was effective in identifying the walls of the sporangia in the granulomas. A final diagnosis of nasal rhinosporidiosis was made.CONCLUSION: Rhinosporidiosis, a rare condition in our environment, has the potential to disseminate to other parts of the body. It is therefore critical for the clinicians to always consider rhinosporidiosis as a differential diagnosis when assessing patients presenting with nasal polyps.

Keywords : Nasal polyp; Rhinosporidium seeberi; Sporangia with endospores; Microcystis aeruginosa; Rhinosporidiosis in South Africa.

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