title: Bacterial biofilms and the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the evidence for the presence of bacterial biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and mechanisms by which they may contribute to the chronic inflammation characteristic of this disease. Lastly, to provide an overview of the current and potential future treatments for bacterial biofilms in CRS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Advances in the techniques for identifying biofilms have confirmed the presence of bacterial biofilms on the sinonasal mucosa of patients with CRS. The impact on mucosal inflammation of the polymicrobial or multiorganism milieu is not yet well understood. Numerous novel topical therapies for the treatment of bacterial biofilms in CRS have been suggested with some demonstrating clinical efficacy. Blocking of quorum sensing represents a potential future therapy for biofilm treatment in CRS and biofilm infection at large.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biofilms represent an important influence on the pathophysiology of CRS. Further understanding of biofilm interactions and microbial organism behavior will provide us with future treatment modalities for this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Dakheelallah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Al-Mutairi
authors.forename: Shaun J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kilty
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000150:complications; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D053038:Quorum Sensing; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013501:Surface-Active Agents