Biofilm in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps: pilot study.
Chronic rhinosinusitis' pathogenesis is not completely established and there are some explanations for this disease, such as osteitis, superantigens, fungal-mediated hypersensitivity and, more recently, biofilms. There are no reports in Portuguese about biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis.


OBJECTIVE
To reproduce a method for visualization of biofilms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps.


METHODS
Samples of ethmoid bulla of nine patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps without response to clinical treatment who underwent surgery were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy to evidence bacterial biofilms.


METHODS
A contemporary cross-sectional cohort study


RESULTS
In 55.56% (5/9) of the patients we observed biofilms by seeing three-dimensional structures, spherical structures surrounded by an amorphous matrix and water-channels.


CONCLUSIONS
We reproduced a method for visualization of bacterial biofilms by scanning electron microscopy and evidenced its presence in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
Bezerra
Thiago Freire Pinto
TF
Otorhinolaryngology Division, Clinical Hospital, Medical School, Sao Paulo University.
Pádua
Francini Grecco de Melo
FG
Ogawa
Allex Itar
AI
Gebrim
Eloisa Maria Mello Santiago
EM
Saldiva
Paulo Hilário Nascimento
PH
Voegels
Richard Louis
RL
D000328:Adult; D018441:Biofilms; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery