[Evidence of bacterial biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the presence of bacterial biofilms in mucosal specimens in patients operated for chronic rhinosinusitis.


METHODS
A total of 12 subjects undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were included. The control group was 6 patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Six patients with chronic rhinosinusitis were enrolled in the study group. Mucosa of uncinate process, ethmoid bulla or maxillary sinus was obtained during endoscopic sinus surgery. All the samples were prepared using standard methods for scanning electron microscopy. Patients' information such as age, gender, symptoms, sinus CT, endoscopic examination, skin prick test were recorded in detail.


RESULTS
Standard-preparation scanning electron microscopy displayed denuded epithelium and disarrayed cilia in chronic rhinosinusitis patient's mucosa. In the study group, bacterial biofilms of different morphology were seen in five samples; One sample showed filamentous structure like fungi. Using strict scanning electron microscopy morphologic criteria, 83.3% samples in the study group were found to have micrographic evidence of biofilms. No bacterial biofilms were detected in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
In the patients undergoing surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis, different degree of mucosal injury could be found. Bacteria biofilms of different life stages were demonstrated to be present. No bacterial biofilms were detected in the control group.
Zhang
Zi
Z
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
Li
Yun-chuan
YC
Han
Ye-hua
YH
Dai
Wei
W
Zhang
Sheng-zhong
SZ
Zhou
Bing
B
Zhang
Luo
L
Wang
De-yun
DY
Han
De-min
DM
Zhang
Yong-jie
YJ
D000328:Adult; D018441:Biofilms; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000382:microbiology*