CF patients homozygous for the delta F508 mutation have a greater incidence of hypoplastic or underdeveloped sinuses. Whether this is secondary to an increased frequency of sinus infections or a phenotypic expression of the genetic mutation itself remains an area for further investigation.

PSP is impaired in CF and DeltaF508 homozygosity is related to poor PSP. TBP is well preserved in the CF population and DeltaF508 homozygosity correlates with greater TBP, with the underlying mechanisms being unclear. Genotype might play a role in skull base pneumatization.

AFRS patients showed significantly more IgE in sinus mucosa tissue specimens, with increased IgE in subepithelial sites when compared with epithelium. The increased expression of antigen-specific IgE is not limited to fungal antigens. These findings support the role of type I hypersensitivity and local manifestations of allergy in AFRS patients.

Increased levels of IgE have been identified in sinonasal tissues in allergic and nonallergic rhinitis, atopic and nonatopic sinonasal polyposis, and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. The ability to identify local tissue IgE in inflammatory sinonasal disease states may have significant diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

More fungal and nonfungal IgE is expressed in IT and sinus tissues of AFRS patients, as compared with control and CRSsNP patients.