Evidence of bacterial biofilms in human chronic sinusitis.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether bacterial biofilms exist on the sinus mucosa surfaces of human subjects with recalcitrant chronic sinusitis. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate patients with continued symptoms of chronic sinusitis despite prior appropriate medical and surgical management. Morphologic structures that confirm the presence of bacterial biofilms were identified on the sinus mucosa of patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a known biofilm former. The presence of bacterial biofilms may explain the recalcitrant nature of some forms of chronic sinusitis.
Division of Rhinology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa., USA.
Jonathan
J
Cryer
Ioana
I
Schipor
Joel R
JR
Perloff
James N
JN
Palmer
D018441:Biofilms; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000254:growth & development*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000382:microbiology*