Evaluation of vitamin D levels in allergic fungal sinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis.

Background: Vitamin D3 (VD3 ) levels have been recently found to be responsible for a number of immunological, anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious roles. Some studies reported that some forms of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS), occurs more commonly in patients who are more susceptible to VD3 deficiency. The aim of this work was to measure VD3 levels in patients with AFRS and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Staphylococcal infection and toxin production in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: The association between bacterial colonization and different forms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has not been well documented. One of the most recent hypotheses is superantigen (SA)-induced inflammation, resulting in up-regulation of lymphocytes to produce cytokines, and other inflammatory mediators that strongly modify the disease. Staphylococcus aureus, frequently encountered in nasal passages, can produce enterotoxins that can act as SAs.