Objectives: Determine the frequency of fungal infections in nasal polypi. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Histopathology Department at Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore. Period: Six months from 12/2/2015 to 12/8/2015. Material & Methods: Two hundred surgical resections/biopsies using 95% confidence level, with 7% margin of error were collected. Formalin fixed specimens of patients of both genders and 10- 60 years of age with nasal polyps received after surgical procedure in department of ENT. Grossing and processing was done. Hematoxyin & Eosin stained sections were examined by two consultant Histopathologists independently. The presence of fungal hyphae was confirmed by PAS and Silver stains. The study was approved by College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan. All the data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Results: Out of 200 patients all the patients showed the prescence of inflammatory cells in polyps (100%) with predominantly eosinophils in their submucosa (82%). Fungus was present in 48 cases (24%) most of them were in the age group of 42-57 years (13%) and 31(15.5%) patients having BMI <30 and 17(8.5%) having BMI >30 were positive for fungus.30 cases were of Aspergillus (62.5%) and rest 8 were of Mucor (37.5%). The fungus positive cases were more in males (13.5%). 160 of the cases were of unilateral polyps (80%) and 40 were of bilateral polypi (20%). Only 8% of the patients having diabetes had fungal infection. Conclusion: Hence, the frequency of fungal infection in nasal polypi is low with Aspergillus being the commonest pathogen affecting males predominantly.

Background: The allergic rhinitis is one of the most miserable disease and most of the sufferers waste a lot of time in place of earning and at home. The main treatment of this disease is avoidance of allergen. There are many different ways to avoid allergens but it is not acceptable for many patients in the long term. These are use of nasal filter and face mask, change of job, change of city etc. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of air purifier in the management of allergic rhinitis. Methods: As this is not possible in many cases, doctors prescribe different medical treatments. Systemic therapy includes different types of antihistamines, immunotherapy and steroids such as nasal sprays and topical decongestants. Every treatment modality has its own complications like topical decongestants cause rhinitis medicamentosa which is very difficult to manage. Steroids are prescribed in oral or injectable form. It causes hypertension, gastritis and peptic ulcers, re-distribution of body fat, Cushing’s syndrome and hirsuitism. Moreover patient has lack of concentration, sleepiness and dryness of nose. In long term follow up these medical interventions are not effective as many patients are non compliant due to side effects of these treatment modalities. Now in this new era it is possible to clean our room air from allergens and other agents by different methods, which can prevent the allergic rhinitis. Results: We are dealing with only nasal allergies and not vasomotor rhinitis, which is a completely different disease as it involves autonomic nervous system. We advised patient to purchase and use air purifier at home and during duty in the office. Patient may use special mask containing HEPA (High Frequency Particulate Air Filter) filter when they are working outside Conclusion: Air purifier machine contains HEPA filter, which sucks the air of room and remove the particles of size up to, even viruses and bacteria are also removed. Now patients feel comfortable in this healthy environment and sleep without any symptoms like itching, rhinorrhoea, blocked nose and eye problems resulting in improved quality of life. Keywords: Allergic rhinitis, Particulate matter, Air purifier