OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of conventional culture and PCR method. METHOD: DNA samples were collected from the sinus of 20 patients with chronic sinusitis and 18 patients diagnosed as fungal sinusitis clinically. Fungal specific PCR analysis and standard culture were performed on every sample. chi2 analysis was used to determine the statistical differences between groups. RESULT: Fungal DNA were detected in 78% of patients with fungal sinusitis and 5% of patients with chronic sinusitis in PCR analysis, while the positive rate were 44% and 0% in standard cultures respectively. CONCLUSION PCR is more rapid and sensitive than nasal swab culture in detecting the fungi in sinus mucosa. Our study suggests that it is an efficient method in diagnosis of fungal sinusitis.
Adult ; Chronic Disease ; DNA, Fungal ; analysis ; Fungi ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Paranasal Sinuses ; microbiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sinusitis ; microbiology ; Young Adult