rhinosporidiosis /rī′nōspərid′ē·ō″sis/ [Gk, rhis + sporo, seed, osis, condition] , an infection caused by the fungus Rhinosporidium seeberi. It is characterized by fleshy red polyps on the mucous membranes of the nose, conjunctiva, nasopharynx, and soft palate. The disease may be acquired by swimming or bathing in infected water. The most effective treatment is electrocautery.
