Fungal sinusitis is an emerging problem with diverse presentations. The disease has gained importance because of its considerable morbidity and mortality especially in immunocompromised hosts. Though the disease is an immediate concern of clinicians managing patients with underlying diseases or on cytotoxic therapies, the infection can occur in healthy hosts. The disease occurring in Asian and African countries has some differences from patients in USA and other countries in western hemisphere in etiology, histopathology and clinical presentations. Multiple controversies surrounding its categorization, pathology, presentation; and deficiency in understanding its pathogenesis, diagnosis and management has led us to develop a consortium to work together and to exchange ideas for resolving the problems.

As International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) has undertaken a special effort in establishment of Working Groups on particular themes, we have planned to develop this network under the umbrella of ISHAM, though the participation in the consortium is open to everybody with interest in fungal sinusitis. ISHAM has a worldwide coverage for publicity, provide facilities and networking and has means to provide persona grants and possibility of supporting workshops. As ISHAM is such dynamic organization with strong commitment in the field of Medical Mycology, I would encourage you to join ISHAM if you are not a member already. However, it would not be any precondition to join the Fungal Sinusitis network. You can visit the ISHAM website at www.isham.org to know its activities.

The basic aim of our network is to understand the disease – fungal sinusitis and to develop a management protocol. At the beginning we would like to develop the network by inviting the clinicians, scientists and workers of this field to join the consortium; compile the available literature and identify the deficient and controversial area in the field of fungal sinusitis. We propose to organize a workshop in February 2008 at Chandigarh in India. Chandigarh is a beautiful place north west of New Delhi at the foothills of Majestic Himalayas. At this workshop the participants will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and their research interest. This would help in development of co-operative research and understanding the disease. The possible multi-center clinical trails would help in developing the algorithm in management of fungal sinusitis. We look forward to your co-operation in developing the working group.

Kind regards,

Arunaloke Chakrabarti, M.D. Dip.N.B.
Convener, Fungal Sinusitis Network
Professor, Medical Microbiology
Incharge, division of Medical Mycology
Department of Medical Microbiology
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
Chandigarh-160012, India.
Off    + 91 172 275 5156
Lab   + 91 172 275 5172
Fax   + 91 172 274 4401/ 274 5078
Email: arunaloke@hotmail.com