Bacteriology of chronic maxillary sinusitis and normal maxillary sinuses: using culture and multiplex polymerase chain reaction.
BACKGROUND
Although many investigations have been performed on bacteriology of chronic sinusitis and normal sinuses, there still is much discussion. Also a new bacterial agent, Alloiococcus otitidis determined in the nasopharynx and middle ear specimens can be thought as a causative agent of sinusitis.


METHODS
The bacteriology of chronic maxillary sinusitis and maxillary sinuses with normal radiogram and endoscopic findings were studied by culture methods for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to investigate four bacteria in study and control groups. There were 27 specimens in the study group and 28 specimens in the control group.


RESULTS
In the study group, the bacteria commonly isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (11.1%), alpha-hemolytic streptococci (11.1%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (11.1%), Haemophilus influenzae (7.4%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (7.4%), and anaerobes (33.3%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (14.3%), alpha-hemolytic streptococci (10.7%), and anaerobes (35.7%) were isolated also in the control group. PCR was used to investigate S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and A. otitidis in the study and control groups. None of these bacteria was determined in the control group whereas detection rates of these bacteria in the study group were 11.1, 11.1, 3.7, and 7.4%, respectively. It should be considered that PCR yielded faint amplification band for A. otitidis.


CONCLUSIONS
Using multiplex PCR can help to increase detection rates of bacterial etiology. Healthy sinuses are not sterile. A. otitidis may be one of the pathogens causing sinusitis.
Kalcioglu
M Tayyar
MT
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
Durmaz
Bengul
B
Aktas
Elif
E
Ozturan
Orhan
O
Durmaz
Riza
R
D000328:Adult; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000382:microbiology*; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification