Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can be subdivided into chronic rhinosinusitis sans nasal polyps (CRSsNP), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). Nasal polyps are a hallmark feature of CRSwNP and AERD. Although, the pathophysiology of polypogenesis is thought to be multifactorial, type 2 (allergic-type) immune responses and epithelial remodeling are considered to be central features. In polyp disease, epithelial remodeling and dysfunction leads to decreased epithelial diversity, with increased basal cells and decreased goblet and ciliated cells. A role for Wnt signaling is well established in cancer and fibrotic diseases, and recent studies have indicated that Wnt signaling is also upregulated in sinonasal polyposis, a non-cancerous disease. Wisp1, a downstream mediator of the Wnt pathway, is significantly increased in polyp disease compared to non-polyp disease. Wnt pathway ligands have been reported to induce the proliferation and impair differentiation of airway basal cells, but the direct effect of the downstream Wnt pathway gene, Wisp1, on respiratory basal epithelial cells is unknown. This study aims to investigate the role of Wisp1 on the proliferation, cell migration, and differentiation of human respiratory epithelial cells. In the current study, we found increased expression of WISP1 in nasal polyps examined directly ex vivo. Histological analysis of nasal polyps and WISP1 expression in primary basal epithelial cell cultures suggested epithelial production of Wisp1 as a feature of nasal polyposis. Using submerged and air-liquid interface (ALI) cell cultures, the effect of Wisp1 on proliferation, cell migration and differentiation was investigated. Increased basal cell accumulation and loss of differentiation are hallmarks of sinonasal polyposis. The chronic inflammatory environment present in polyp disease includes chronic increased WISP1 expression, which endorses a role for this protein in disease. The results of this study suggest that prolonged exposure to Wisp1 may lead to an increase in the cellular mass of respiratory basal epithelial cells, while limiting their ability to differentiate, thus allowing for unchecked accumulation. Taken together, our results suggest that Wisp1 may contribute to central features of nasal polyposis, thus identifying this protein as a potential target for future therapeutic intervention.

The aim of this thesis is to evaluate and optimise current pharmacotherapeutic options in rhinosinusitis. There is often a marked variation in treatment response in those afflicted with chronic rhinosinusitis, both within and between patients, attributable in part to different disease phenotypes/endotypes, poor awareness of treatment optimization options, and trivialization of symptoms by patients and physicians. Characteristically, these factors contribute to a typical remitting and relapsing disease course. The objectives of this work are to improve the therapeutic index and reach of commonly used medications by boosting efficacy whilst reducing concomitant side effects. The third chapter explores the use of initial oral steroids in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis, focusing on the role of the ostiomeatal complex in the perpetuation of disease symptoms. Often a short course of oral steroids is used in patients with moderate to severe disease to achieve initial control before maintenance with intranasal steroids. This is termed as a ‘medical polypectomy’ and anecdotally is commonly used in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). However, the evidence for its efficacy is tenuous and there are no data to evaluate if it indeed re-establishes ostiomeatal sinus complex drainage which is a condicio sine qua non of ensuring long-term symptom resolution. Further, it is known that monotherapy with nasal steroids may result in loss of symptom control. We have therefore in a double-blind placebo controlled trial (Chapter 4) evaluated the effect of this initial induction with oral steroids on subsequent sequential intranasal therapy. Perhaps, however, more crucially we have for the first time comprehensively addressed the safety of both oral and topical steroids in patients with CRSwNP who have other concomitant steroid-dependent illnesses like asthma and COPD. A particularly refractory subset of those with CRSwNP also have aspirin intolerance and asthma. While recent guidelines have recommended more aspirin challenge testing in these patients, it is unclear what the significance of a positive test is in the absence of overt clinical symptoms or in patients with only moderate disease. This is addressed in Chapter 5, as this significant phenotype of aspirin intolerant rhinosinusitis need close monitoring, dose optimization, polytherapy, and in selected cases may be suitable for aspirin desensitization. Penultimately, we evaluate in a double-blind placebo controlled trial (Chapter 6) the tachyphylaxis and rebound congestion that blights the medium to long-term use of sympathomimetic nasal decongestant sprays like oxymetazoline and if this can be reversed by the concomitant use of nasal steroids. We also characterized nasal blood flow as an outcome to evaluate in these patients and its relation to other rhinological outcome measures (Chapter 7).

Objectives: To study the expression of cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides (CAMP) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and eosinophilic mucus chronic rhinosinusitis (EMCRS) and by a nasal explant in vitro model cultured with fungal allergens. Methods: Nasal biopsies from 59 CRS and EMCRS patients, stratified into Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), Nonallergic fungal eosinophilic sinusitis (NAFES), and Nonallergic nonfungal eosinophilic sinusitis (NANFES) were studied by quantitative real-time (q)RTPCR, Western blot, immunostaining and ELISA. Nasal tissue from CRS and EMCRS patients were cultured with increasing concentrations of fungal allergens in a nasal explant in vitro model for 24 hours and CAMP and SP-D mRNA and protein levels in response to the fungi were determined by qRT-PCR and ELISA. Results: The expression of CAMP mRNA was significantly increased in EMCRS patients compared to CRS patients (p=0.0004). By immunohistochemistry, expression of CAMP was localised to nasal epithelial, submucosal glands and inflammatory subepithelial cells. Western blotting demonstrated the presence of CAMP in the study patients. Culturing nasal explants with fungal allergens demonstrated significant upregulation of CAMP mRNA expression in CRS, but not EMCRS patients, by Aspergillus (mean 4-fold increase) and Alternaria (mean 6-fold increase) extracts with a significant dose-response effect (p<0.001). CAMP protein levels in the nasal tissue from CRS patients increased in response to Alternaria (p<0.05). In contrast, with EMCRS patients the expression of CAMP peptide in nasal tissue increased with Aspergillus (p<0.001) but decreased with Alternaria. Staining for SP-D was detected in the submucosal glands from the nasal biopsies in all patient groups except for AFS. By ELISA, SP-D was undetectable in AFS and decreased in NAFES, NANFES, and CRS compared to controls. CRS patients cultured with Aspergillus and Alternaria allergens in the in vitro nasal explant model induced significant upregulation of SP-D mRNA (p<0.0001). In contrast, NANFES nasal tissue explants cultured with Aspergillus allergens induced downregulation of SP-D and only a modest upregulation of SP-D mRNA to Alternaria allergens. Conclusion: This study demonstrates expression of cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides and surfactant proteins in nasal mucosa supporting its potential role in innate defences against inhaled pathogens. There is significant upregulation of CAMP mRNA in the EMCRS group implying an increased inflammatory state. In vitro, CAMP is significantly upregulated at the mRNA and protein level in CRS tissue explants to Aspergillus and Alternaria allergens. However, EMCRS tissue cultured with Alternaria in vitro does not demonstrate increased CAMP at the mRNA or protein level. The expression of SP-D in nasal tissue is reported for the first time. SP-D expression in the CRS, but not the EMCRS group, is upregulated in vitro by Aspergillus and Alternaria. The EMCRS group compared to CRS group demonstrate abnormal CAMP and SP-D expression to common fungal allergens. These important findings in understanding the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis are discussed in this thesis and may provide potential novel therapies for chronic rhinosinusitis in the future. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1287042 / Thesis(PhD)-- School of Medicine, 2007

This thesis embodies research investigating the role that bacterial biofilms play in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). It focuses on their detection on the sinus mucosa of CRS patients and the implications of their presence. Finally, it addresses deficiencies in the innate immune system that may predispose to their development in this condition. Bacterial biofilms are structural assemblages of microbial cells that encase themselves in a protective self-produced matrix and irreversibly attach to a surface. Their extreme resistance to both the immune system as well as medical therapies has implicated them as playing a potential role in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Although their role in many diseases is now well established, their objective presence and importance in CRS remains largely unknown. Chapter 1 of this thesis reviews the current literature pertaining to CRS and biofilms and critically evaluates the small body of research relating to this topic. Chapter 2 describes the development of a sheep model to study the role of bacterial biofilms in rhinosinusitis. It compares the use of traditional electron microscopy (EM) and more recent confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) in the detection of biofilms on the surface of sinus mucosa. The results of this study inferred a causal relationship between biofilms and the macroscopic changes that accompany rhinosinusitis. Furthermore it illustrated the superiority that CSLM has over EM in the imaging of biofilms on sinus mucosa Chapter 3 and 4 outline the results of human studies utilizing the more objective CSLM to evaluate the prevalence of bacterial biofilms on the sinus mucosa of CRS patients and their effect on post-operative mucosal healing. The results of these studies demonstrated a biofilm prevalence of approximately 50% in the CRS population studied and suggested, that biofilm presence may predispose to adverse post-operative outcomes following sinus surgery. Chapter 5 and 6 describe experiments examining the level of the innate immune system’s anti-biofilm peptide lactoferrin, in patients with CRS. Lactoferrin was found to be downregulated at both an mRNA and protein level in the majority of CRS patients, with biofilm positive patients demonstrating the most significant reduction. In summary, this thesis provides further evidence that bacterial biofilms play a major role in the pathogenesis and disease persistence in a subset of CRS patients. Deficiencies in components of the innate immune system, such as lactoferrin, may play an important role in the predisposition of certain individuals to the initial development of bacterial biofilms. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1346621 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medicine 2008

This thesis embodies research investigating the role that bacterial biofilms play in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). It focuses on their detection on the sinus mucosa of CRS patients and the implications of their presence. Finally, it addresses deficiencies in the innate immune system that may predispose to their development in this condition. Bacterial biofilms are structural assemblages of microbial cells that encase themselves in a protective self-produced matrix and irreversibly attach to a surface. Their extreme resistance to both the immune system as well as medical therapies has implicated them as playing a potential role in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Although their role in many diseases is now well established, their objective presence and importance in CRS remains largely unknown. Chapter 1 of this thesis reviews the current literature pertaining to CRS and biofilms and critically evaluates the small body of research relating to this topic. Chapter 2 describes the development of a sheep model to study the role of bacterial biofilms in rhinosinusitis. It compares the use of traditional electron microscopy (EM) and more recent confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) in the detection of biofilms on the surface of sinus mucosa. The results of this study inferred a causal relationship between biofilms and the macroscopic changes that accompany rhinosinusitis. Furthermore it illustrated the superiority that CSLM has over EM in the imaging of biofilms on sinus mucosa Chapter 3 and 4 outline the results of human studies utilizing the more objective CSLM to evaluate the prevalence of bacterial biofilms on the sinus mucosa of CRS patients and their effect on post-operative mucosal healing. The results of these studies demonstrated a biofilm prevalence of approximately 50% in the CRS population studied and suggested, that biofilm presence may predispose to adverse post-operative outcomes following sinus surgery. Chapter 5 and 6 describe experiments examining the level of the innate immune system’s anti-biofilm peptide lactoferrin, in patients with CRS. Lactoferrin was found to be downregulated at both an mRNA and protein level in the majority of CRS patients, with biofilm positive patients demonstrating the most significant reduction. In summary, this thesis provides further evidence that bacterial biofilms play a major role in the pathogenesis and disease persistence in a subset of CRS patients. Deficiencies in components of the innate immune system, such as lactoferrin, may play an important role in the predisposition of certain individuals to the initial development of bacterial biofilms. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1346621 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medicine 2008

Die chronische Rhinosinusitis (CRS) ist eine entzündliche Erkrankung der Nase und Nasennebenhöhlen mit einem Bestehen von Symptomen über zwölf Wochen im Jahr. In Europa sind über 10% der erwachsenen Bevölkerung von ihr betroffen und leiden unter einer stark verminderten Lebensqualität. Nach dem Phänotyp lassen sich zwei Formen unterscheiden: die chronische Rhinosinusitis mit Polypen (CRScNP) und ohne Polypen (CRSsNP). Meist wird unter europäischen Probanden bei der CRScNP eine hauptsächlich eosinophile Th2- vermittelte und bei der CRSsNP ein gemischtes Profil aus Th1/Th17/Th2-vermittelter Entzündung beschrieben. Doch dies erfasst nicht die Vielfalt dieser Erkrankung. Erst kürzlich konnten Endotypen, basierend auf der Zytokinsekretion, identifiziert werden, die auf ein multifaktorielles Geschehen schließen lassen. Nachdem im Nasensekret von über 90% der CRS Patienten Pilze nachgewiesen werden konnten erscheint es wichtig, deren Rolle in der Pathogenese der CRS zu ergründen. Besonders interessant sind dabei Aspergillus fumigatus und Candida albicans. Als opportunistische Pilze könnten sie im Rahmen der CRS in der Lage sein bei einigen Endotypen durch eine verstärkte Aktivierung von Immunzellen die lokale Entzündungsreaktion aufrecht zu erhalten. Es wurden lokale und periphere CD4+ und CD8+ T-Zellen von Patienten mit CRScNP, CRSsNP und einer gesunden Kontrollgruppe isoliert. Eine Kultivierung mit den Antigenen von C. albicans und A. fumigatus erfolgte in einer Konzentration von 1 µg/ml über 6 Tage. Im Anschluss daran wurden die Zellen für das Durchflusszytometer angefärbt und ihre Aktivität über die Ki67+ Expression gemessen. In den Überständen der Kultivierung wurde durch das Durchflusszytometer mittels Multiplexassay die produzierten Zytokinkonzentrationen der Zellen bestimmt. In dieser Arbeit konnte eine Stimulierung der lokalen und peripheren T-Zellen durch die beiden Antigene gezeigt werden... / The chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory desease with an incidence of over 10 % among the European population. There are two phenotypes – the chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRScNP) and the chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps (CRSsNP). In Europe the CRScNP is usually regarded as a Th2- driven eosinophilic inflammation and the CRSsNP as a mixed Th1/Th17 driven inflammation. In recent years several endotypes (based on their cytokine production) have been identified, which suggest that there are many factors influencing the development of the desease. There can be found fungi In the nasal secret of over 90 % of the patients with CRS – do some of them play a role in the pathophysiology of the desease? In this study peripheral (PBMC) and local (tissue) CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from patients with CRScNP and CRSsNP as well as from an healthy control group were cultivated with the antigens of Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. After six days the cells were separated from their supernatant and their activation was analysed by the marker Ki-67 by flow cytometry. Using a Th1,Th2,Th17 assay the concentration of 13 cytokines was measured in the supernatant. This paper shows the positive stimulation of local T-cells by the antigens Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. The cytokine production couldn’t significantly be raised by C. albicans. After the cultivation with A. fumigatus the production of IL-17a, IL-5 and IL-4 from the CD4+ t-cells of patients with CRScNP was significantly increased. Additionally there were groups of patients who reacted more than others, so there must be suspected, that some subgroups of the phenotype CRScNP show a higher response to A. fumigatus than others. More experiments are needed to explore whether A. fumigatus could act as an superantigen in some subgroups of the CRScNP. With the results of this and further experiments there may be found additional treatments for patients with CRScNP.

Descrição: A rinossinusite fúngica (RSF) é uma infecção oportunística, caracterizada pela inflamação da mucosa nasal e dos seios paranasais. É considerada um problema emergente na clínica médica diária, com prevalência aumentada nas últimas décadas, com etiologia nos mais diversos fungos ubíquos. Objetivos: Este trabalho objetivou analisar todos os casos de RSF pertencentes ao banco de dados do Laboratório de Micologia da Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, no período de 28 anos (1986-2014), relacionando-os com as características clínicas e epidemiológicas. Materiais e métodos: O estudo foi retrospectivo observacional, resultando em uma série de 82 casos, confirmados histopatologicamente e pelos exames micológicos para identificação de fungos, comparados-os com os achados nas imagens radiológicas. Resultados: Foram identificados 54 casos de RSF por aspergilose, com predominância do agente etiológico Aspergillus fumigatus (14/54), e 27 casos de RSF por fungos diferentes do gênero Aspergillus, com superioridade de isolamento de agentes responsáveis por hialohifomicoses (12/27). Configurado, nestes achados, o ineditismo de três casos em nosso meio, com destaque para o primeiro caso de RSF e infecção humana por Trichoderma asperellum. Conclusões: Estes achados representam a maior casuística brasileira identificada, podendo contribuir para uma melhor compreensão epidemiológica, melhorando os critérios de suspeição médica, refletindo na efetividade dos tratamentos, principalmente, no diagnóstico dos casos de RSF invasiva, com altas taxas de mortalidade. / Description: The fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) is an opportunistic infection characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa and sinuses. It is considered an emerging problem in daily medical practice, with prevalence increased in recent decades, with etiology in diverse ubiquitous fungi. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze all cases of RSF belonging to the Mycology Laboratory of the database of the Brotherhood of the Santa Casa of Misericordia Porto Alegre during the period of 28 years (1986-2014), relating them with the clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Methods: The study was observational retrospective, resulting in a series of 82 cases confirmed by histopathological and mycological examinations for identification of fungi, compared them with the findings on radiographs. Results: We identified 54 cases of aspergillosis by RSF, especially the etiologic agent Aspergillus fumigatus (14/54), and 27 cases of RSF different fungi Aspergillus, with insulation superiority of agents responsible for hyalohyphomycosis (12/27). Configured, these findings, the three cases unprecedented in our country, especially the first case of human infection with RSF and Trichoderma asperellum. Conclusions: These findings represent the largest identified Brazilian series and can contribute to a better epidemiological understanding, improving clinical suspicion criteria, reflecting the effectiveness of treatments, mainly in diagnosing cases of invasive RSF, with high mortality rates.

Os modelos experimentais têm um papel importante no conhecimento dos mecanismos envolvidos na patogênese da rinossinusite crônica (RSC). Objetivos: comprovar que sem inoculação de bactérias seria possível induzir alterações histológicas crônicas nos seios maxilares de coelhos através da obstrução do óstio de drenagem dos mesmos, produzindo um modelo experimental consistente e reproduzível para RSC. Secundariamente, comparar achados inflamatórios entre duas técnicas de oclusão do óstio do seio maxilar com N-butil cianocrilato: via transmaxilar (VTM) e via teto de fossa nasal (VTFN). Métodos: estudo experimental randomizado cego em animais de laboratório realizado na Unidade de Experimentação Animal do Centro de Pesquisa do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, no qual foram sorteados dezesseis coelhos Nova Zelândia entre oclusão do seio maxilar direito VTM ou VTFN. Após 12 semanas de seguimento, os animaisforam anestesiados e sacrificados para análise histopatológica cegada da mucosa do seio maxilar. Resultados: apresentavam alterações histopatológicas compatíveis com RSC os oito (100%) seios maxilares intervindos através da técnica VTM e três (37,5%) através da técnica VTFN, com p 0,008 e 0,250, respectivamente, quando comparados lado direito com o lado controle. Comparando-se as duas técnicas de oclusão, a técnica VTM mostrou-se mais consistente em provocar alterações crônicas nas mucosas dos seios maxilares ocluídos (p 0,026). Conclusões: O modelo do presente trabalho obteve sucesso em provocar alterações histológicas compatíveis com RSC nos animais submetidos à técnica de oclusão VTM com seguimento de 12 semanas, podendo ser facilmente replicável para futuros estudos celulares na mucosa sinusal. / Experimental models have an important role in understanding the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Objectives: To demonstrate that, without the inoculation of pathogenic bacteria, it is possible to induce chronic histological changes in the maxillary sinuses of rabbits secondary to sinus ostium obstruction, producing a consistent and reproducible experimental model for CRS. Secondly, to compare inflammatory findings between two techniques of experimental occlusion of the maxillary sinus ostium with N-butyl cyanoacrylate: transmaxillary and through the roof of the nasal cavity. Methods: In a randomized, blinded, experimental study, 16 New Zealand rabbits were assigned for occlusion of the right maxillary sinus through a transmaxillary approach or through the roof of the nasal cavity. The contralateral sinus was left undisturbed to serve as a control. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the animals were anesthetized and sacrificed for blinded histopathological analysis of the maxillary sinus mucosa. Results: Histopathological changes consistent with CRS were found in eight (100%) of the maxillary sinuses approached transmaxillary and three of thoseapproached through the roof of the nasal cavity (37.5%), p 0.008 and 0.250, respectively, comparing the right to the left control sinus. Comparing the occlusion techniques, the transmaxillary approach was more consistent in causing chronic mucosal changes (p 0.026). Conclusions: The proposed model was successful in causing histological changes compatible with CRS in animals subjected to sinus occlusion with a transmaxillary approach followed-up for 12 weeks. This experimental model can be easily replicated for future cellular studies of the sinus mucosa.

Descrição: A rinossinusite fúngica (RSF) é uma infecção oportunística, caracterizada pela inflamação da mucosa nasal e dos seios paranasais. É considerada um problema emergente na clínica médica diária, com prevalência aumentada nas últimas décadas, com etiologia nos mais diversos fungos ubíquos. Objetivos: Este trabalho objetivou analisar todos os casos de RSF pertencentes ao banco de dados do Laboratório de Micologia da Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, no período de 28 anos (1986-2014), relacionando-os com as características clínicas e epidemiológicas. Materiais e métodos: O estudo foi retrospectivo observacional, resultando em uma série de 82 casos, confirmados histopatologicamente e pelos exames micológicos para identificação de fungos, comparados-os com os achados nas imagens radiológicas. Resultados: Foram identificados 54 casos de RSF por aspergilose, com predominância do agente etiológico Aspergillus fumigatus (14/54), e 27 casos de RSF por fungos diferentes do gênero Aspergillus, com superioridade de isolamento de agentes responsáveis por hialohifomicoses (12/27). Configurado, nestes achados, o ineditismo de três casos em nosso meio, com destaque para o primeiro caso de RSF e infecção humana por Trichoderma asperellum. Conclusões: Estes achados representam a maior casuística brasileira identificada, podendo contribuir para uma melhor compreensão epidemiológica, melhorando os critérios de suspeição médica, refletindo na efetividade dos tratamentos, principalmente, no diagnóstico dos casos de RSF invasiva, com altas taxas de mortalidade. / Description: The fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) is an opportunistic infection characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa and sinuses. It is considered an emerging problem in daily medical practice, with prevalence increased in recent decades, with etiology in diverse ubiquitous fungi. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze all cases of RSF belonging to the Mycology Laboratory of the database of the Brotherhood of the Santa Casa of Misericordia Porto Alegre during the period of 28 years (1986-2014), relating them with the clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Methods: The study was observational retrospective, resulting in a series of 82 cases confirmed by histopathological and mycological examinations for identification of fungi, compared them with the findings on radiographs. Results: We identified 54 cases of aspergillosis by RSF, especially the etiologic agent Aspergillus fumigatus (14/54), and 27 cases of RSF different fungi Aspergillus, with insulation superiority of agents responsible for hyalohyphomycosis (12/27). Configured, these findings, the three cases unprecedented in our country, especially the first case of human infection with RSF and Trichoderma asperellum. Conclusions: These findings represent the largest identified Brazilian series and can contribute to a better epidemiological understanding, improving clinical suspicion criteria, reflecting the effectiveness of treatments, mainly in diagnosing cases of invasive RSF, with high mortality rates.

Descrição: A rinossinusite fúngica (RSF) é uma infecção oportunística, caracterizada pela inflamação da mucosa nasal e dos seios paranasais. É considerada um problema emergente na clínica médica diária, com prevalência aumentada nas últimas décadas, com etiologia nos mais diversos fungos ubíquos. Objetivos: Este trabalho objetivou analisar todos os casos de RSF pertencentes ao banco de dados do Laboratório de Micologia da Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, no período de 28 anos (1986-2014), relacionando-os com as características clínicas e epidemiológicas. Materiais e métodos: O estudo foi retrospectivo observacional, resultando em uma série de 82 casos, confirmados histopatologicamente e pelos exames micológicos para identificação de fungos, comparados-os com os achados nas imagens radiológicas. Resultados: Foram identificados 54 casos de RSF por aspergilose, com predominância do agente etiológico Aspergillus fumigatus (14/54), e 27 casos de RSF por fungos diferentes do gênero Aspergillus, com superioridade de isolamento de agentes responsáveis por hialohifomicoses (12/27). Configurado, nestes achados, o ineditismo de três casos em nosso meio, com destaque para o primeiro caso de RSF e infecção humana por Trichoderma asperellum. Conclusões: Estes achados representam a maior casuística brasileira identificada, podendo contribuir para uma melhor compreensão epidemiológica, melhorando os critérios de suspeição médica, refletindo na efetividade dos tratamentos, principalmente, no diagnóstico dos casos de RSF invasiva, com altas taxas de mortalidade. / Description: The fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) is an opportunistic infection characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa and sinuses. It is considered an emerging problem in daily medical practice, with prevalence increased in recent decades, with etiology in diverse ubiquitous fungi. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze all cases of RSF belonging to the Mycology Laboratory of the database of the Brotherhood of the Santa Casa of Misericordia Porto Alegre during the period of 28 years (1986-2014), relating them with the clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Methods: The study was observational retrospective, resulting in a series of 82 cases confirmed by histopathological and mycological examinations for identification of fungi, compared them with the findings on radiographs. Results: We identified 54 cases of aspergillosis by RSF, especially the etiologic agent Aspergillus fumigatus (14/54), and 27 cases of RSF different fungi Aspergillus, with insulation superiority of agents responsible for hyalohyphomycosis (12/27). Configured, these findings, the three cases unprecedented in our country, especially the first case of human infection with RSF and Trichoderma asperellum. Conclusions: These findings represent the largest identified Brazilian series and can contribute to a better epidemiological understanding, improving clinical suspicion criteria, reflecting the effectiveness of treatments, mainly in diagnosing cases of invasive RSF, with high mortality rates.