Curvularia spicifera in Non-Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis: Case Reports and Diagnostic Insights

The clinical cases described in this text add to the limited literature on chronic and allergic rhinosinusitis caused by dematiaceous fungi, particularly Curvularia spicifera. These cases highlight the growing recognition of fungal infections as a significant factor in the etiology of rhinosinusitis, a condition traditionally attributed to bacterial causes It has become evident that a comprehensive clinical approach, involving diagnostic imaging and laboratory examinations, particularly culture-based analysis, has been crucial in identifying the specific fungal pathogen responsible for the infection. Additionally, molecular biology techniques have proven indispensable in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and the understanding of such infections. Importantly, these types of infections are commonly observed in immunocompetent individuals, distinguishing them from other fungal infections that typically affect immunocompromised patients. This study underlines the importance of integrating microbiological findings with clinical, radiological, and histopathological data for the accurate diagnosis of non-invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, particularly given the lack of serological assays specific for this species. The available literature on these infections remains limited, and diagnosis continues to rely on an integrated multimodal approach.