Rhinosporidiosis in a South Indian village

A brief survey for rhinosporidiosis in a South Indian village is presented. A total of 34 cases have been detected with a prevalence rate of 4·7%. This is found to be higher than all those reported already from India. A sex variation was noted in the incidence of this disease, which was quite different from all the earlier reports; the infection rate was higher in females than in males. More than one case has been detected in three families. Attempts to find any natural infection in the aquatic inhabitants such as snails, frogs, fishes and crabs found in the village pond have not been successful so far. One case of rhinosporidiosis in a cow in this endemic village was also recorded.