Lophomonas blattarum Infection in Allergic Rhinitis Patients: Does it affect the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis?

Introduction:This study aims to investigate the prevalence of Lophomonas blattarum in allergic rhinitis patients and the effect of allergic rhinitis treatment in patients with allergic rhinitis along with L. blattarum infection. Materials and Methods: This Prospective cohort study was conducted in the tertiary otorhinolaryngology-head and neck centers in Mashhad, Iran. Patients with allergic rhinitis (in the two groups of L. blattarum-positive and L. blattarum-negative) were treated for allergic rhinitis, and their response to treatment was evaluated after ۲ and ۴ weeks. Results: In this study, ۵۶ patients (including ۳۶ females and ۲۰ males) were examined. The L. blattarum was identified in ۱۶ patients (۲۸.۶%), ۱۰ of whom were female. There was no significant relationship between L. blattarum infection with gender (p: ۰.۹۹۰), occupation (p: ۰.۹۱۵), type of allergy (p: ۰.۹۹۰), and various allergens. After treatment, the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms, except for eye swelling (p: ۰.۲۰۳), were significantly decreased in L. blattarum-positive patients. Also, the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms were remarkably decreased in both L. blattarum-positive and L. blattarum-negative patients. Conclusion:The L. blattarum infection was found in ۲۸.۶% of patients with allergic rhinitis, and L. blattarum infection did not affect the treatment of allergic rhinitis.