Fungal Profile in Non-Invasive Fungal Sinusitis Using PCR in Post-Covid Scenario at a Tertiary-Care Centre in India

ABSTRACT

Objective: To detect the presence of Mucorales in the sinuses of healthy individuals and non-invasive fungal sinusitis patients. Materials and methods: Post FESS specimens with appearance suggestive of fungal ball or allergic mucin from 30 immunocompetent patients was sent for KOH smear, HPE, fungal culture and PCR. Results: Fungal culture was positive for Aspergillus flavus in one specimen. PCR demonstrated Aspergillus (21), Candida (14), and Rhizopus in one case. HPE detected mainly Aspergillus in 13 specimens. No fungal presence in four cases. Discussion: There was no significant undetected Mucor colonisation. PCR proved to be the most sensitive test in reliably detecting the organisms. No significant variation in the pattern of fungi were detected between COVID-19 infected and non-infected, but for the slightly higher detection of candida in the COVID-19 infected group. Conclusion: There was no significant presence of Mucorales in non-invasive fungal sinusitis patients in our study.