title: Characterization of bacterial and fungal biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conclusive evidence exists that biofilms are present on the mucosa of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients. Less is known about the species constituting these biofilms. This study developed a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) protocol for characterization of bacterial and fungal biofilms in CRS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty CRS patients and 10 controls were recruited. Bacteria FISH probes for Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a universal probe for fungi were applied to sinus mucosal specimens and then analyzed using confocal scanning laser microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-six of 50 CRS patients had biofilms present in contrast to 0/10 controls, suggesting a role for biofilms in the pathogenesis of this disease. S. aureus was the most common biofilm-forming organism. Eleven of 50 CRS patients had characteristic fungal biofilms present.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the largest study of biofilms in CRS. It has validated mucosal tissue cryopreservation for delayed biofilm analysis. Fungal biofilms have been identified and the importance of S. aureus biofilms in the polymicrobial etiology of CRS is highlighted.
authors: Department of Surgery-Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Foreman
authors: Alkis James
authors: AJ
authors: Psaltis
authors: Lor Wai
authors: LW
authors: Tan
authors: Peter-John
authors: PJ
authors: Wormald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018441:Biofilms; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity