Aspergillosis of the nose and paranasal sinuses in immunocompromised children.

T he principal fungi that cause infection of the nose and paranasal sinuses are species of Aspergillus, which are commonly found in soil, dust and decaying matter.' The ubiquitous fungal spores reach the paranasal sinuses after inhalation, and infections develop in otherwise healthy people who are exposed to heavy concentrations of animal dander and of dust from hay, grains and straw.2 Over the past several years a severe, fulminant form of aspergillosis of the nose and paranasal sinuses has been observed in adults and older children with neoplastic disease. However, only three cases have been described in children under 12 years of age.3 We report two additional cases in immunocompromised children.