An Epidemiological Study and Trends of Rhinosporidiosis over a Period of Twelve Years in a Tertiary Hospital in Burdwan, West Bengal
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous disease due to Rhinosporidium seeberi that affects mainly nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa. The condition is endemic in some regions of India, such as West Bengal. Longitudinal data from this region are still limited. This research was conducted to describe the clinico-pathological and epidemiological profile of histopathologically proven rhinosporidiosis cases and analyze yearly trends over a 12-year period in a tertiary care facility in eastern India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective record-based study was done at the Department of Pathology, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital. All histologically diagnosed cases of rhinosporidiosis from January 2013 to August 2024 were taken into consideration. Pertinent data like age, sex, domicile, clinical features, site of lesion, and histopathological findings were obtained from departmental records and analyzed using SPSS software (version 23.0, IBM Corp). Trends of cases per year were plotted. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stain were used over all histological slides. Results: 104 histologically diagnosed cases of rhinosporidiosis were analyzed over a period of 12 years. The patients were predominantly male (72.11%) and almost half of them were ≤20 years of age (47.12%), followed by 21–40 years (30.77%). Chi-square test demonstrated considerable variation between age and gender distribution (p<0.001). Lesions were most commonly seen in patient’s ≤40 years (77.88%). The most frequent site of involvement was the nose in both genders and age groups, though there was no significant variation by age or gender in the site of lesions. Rural origins predominated (74.04%), and 91.35% had a history of pond bathing, both of which were significantly linked to rhinosporidiosis (p<0.001). Leukocytosis was not seen in the majority (91.35%), but eosinophilia was found in 38.46%, which varied from mild to severe, both of which were significantly associated (p<0.001). Blood group was not related to the disease. Sessile lesions (58.65%) morphologically were the most common, but variations from pedunculated forms were not statistically significant. Polypoidal masses, epistaxis, and rhinorrhea were common symptoms. Ocular mass and watering of the eye were the presentation of ocular lesions. Trend analysis revealed that there was an overall decreasing incidence with a marked decline in 2022 and a rebound in 2023. Conclusions: Rhinosporidiosis, a chronic disease linked to pond bathing, mainly affects rural young males. Public health awareness may reduce incidence and aid future eradication efforts.
Authors: Dewasi, Nikhilesh, Chakraborty, Ankita, Dandapat, Soumik, Chowdhury, Surupa, Karmakar, Rupam
Institution: Burdwan Medical College & Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Small Animals
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7079538953
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