Isolation of Rhizopus from a Case of Nasal Polyp in anImmune-Competent Individual

Nasal polyps are noncancerous inflammatory growths within the nose or sinuses. Symptoms may vary ranging from breathing difficulty through the nose, loss of smell sensation, reduced taste, post-nasal drip, and a runny nose. The growths are movable, fleshy and nontender, though face pain may present occasionally. Complications may include recurrent sinusitis, widening of the nose and destruction of the nasal bones. The exact cause is still not clear. Polyposis most probably is related to chronic inflammation of the lining of the nasal mucosa and sinuses. They occur more commonly among people who have allergies, cystic fibrosis, aspirin sensitivity, or certain fungal infections. Symptoms of polyps include nasal congestion, loss of smell, facial pressure, nasal speech, thick nasal discharge, and mouth breathing. According to different studies done worldwide, fungal elements are suspected to be one of the causative agents of chronic rhinosinusitis and a fungal etiology has been considered as a cause for severe nasal polyposis. Here we report a case of nasal polyp caused by Rhizopus species in an immune-competent adult. A proper diagnosis and treatment is necessary otherwise it may terminate into a fatal case of rhino-cerebral zygomycetes and here lies the importance of our study.