title: Determining the Role of Helicobacter pylori in Chronic Sinus Infections Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Helicobacter pylori are becoming increasingly recognized as a possible pathological cause of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Considering the prevalence of CRS and its impact on quality of life, we decided to determine the role of H. pylori in chronic sinus infections by using the PCR technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a case-control analytical epidemiologic survey, the study population was selected by consecutive sampling from patients with CRS undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery during years 2010 - 2012. Patients were divided into two groups. The study group consisted of patients with CRS and the control group consisted of patients with nasal obstruction caused by concha bullosa, without inflammation or infection of the sinuses. Sampling was performed during surgery from the infected tissue and from the middle turbinate mucosa. Eventually, bacterial DNA was extracted and used for the PCR test, in order to isolate H. pylori.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients (18%) with CRS had H. pylori isolated from their samples whereas in the control group, H. pylori were only found in two patients (4%); this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.025). The indicator wasn't statistically significant between males and females. There was no statistical correlation in relative frequency of H. pylori for different age groups (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a significant correlation between CRS and presence of H. pylori in sinonasal mucosa. This relationship may reflect the role of H. pylori as one of the pathogenic factors in the development of CRS. However, further studies are required to confirm this role.
authors.affiliation: Hearing Research Centre, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Soheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nikakhlagh
authors.affiliation: Hearing Research Centre, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Samarbafzadeh
authors.affiliation: Hearing Research Centre, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jahani
authors.affiliation: Hearing Research Centre, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hamed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Poostchi
authors.affiliation: Hearing Research Centre, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Gholam Abbas
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Kayedani
authors.affiliation: Hearing Research Centre, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naghashpoor
authors.affiliation: Hearing Research Centre, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saki
keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Infection; Polymerase Chain Reaction