title: [Evidence of bacterial biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yun-chuan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ye-hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Sheng-zhong
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Luo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: De-yun
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: De-min
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Yong-jie
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: 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*