The role of atypical bacteria in chronic rhinosinusitis.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the presence of atypical bacteria in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) by utilizing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


METHODS
Eleven patients with CRS were prospectively enrolled. DNA was isolated from the mucosa samples and subjected to PCR using oligonucleotides specific for identification of atypical bacteria including: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila. Also, routine aerobic and anerobic cultures were processed. Sinus tissue samples from 6 fresh corpses without evident sinus disease served as controls.


RESULTS
No atypical bacteria were identified in the 11 patient samples by PCR. One of 6 cadaver controls was positive by PCR for M pneumoniae. The most common organism obtained from routine culture was coagulase negative staphylococci.


CONCLUSIONS
Using sensitive PCR techniques, CRS mucosa did not reveal DNA from M pneumoniae, C pneumoniae, or L pneumophila.


CONCLUSIONS
Atypical bacteria were not identified in patients with CRS despite highly effective PCR methods and they may not play a significant role in the cause of CRS.
Lee
Raymond E
RE
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33136, USA.
Kaza
Sarita
S
Plano
Gregory V
GV
Casiano
Roy R
RR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000382:microbiology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial