Bacteriology of chronic rhinosinusitis in patients that had paranasal sinuses endoscopic surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory condition where bacteria play an important role. Acute exacerbations of chronic sinusitis (AECS) in patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (EES) are not infrequent. Treatment of these exacerbations is complex due to the emergence of new agents and to an increase in bacterial resistance. Therefore, it is important to develop methods to culture and identify these agents and their antimicrobial resistance and sensibilities. Aim: To develop a technique for recovery of pathogens in the paranasal sinuses of patients with AECS after EES. Material and Method: 32 patients that had undergone EES were recruited. Aspiration of the maxillary sinus under direct endoscopic vision was performed. Samples obtained were sent for aerobic, anaerobic and fungal cultures. Results: Of the 50 samples collected, 46 were positive. Of these, 44 cultured aerobes, 7 cultured anaerobes, and 2 cultured fungi. The resistance to betalactamic antibiotics was 48.2% with at least 36% resistance to two different types of antibiotics. Conclusion: This is the first report in Chile of the microorganisms involved in AECS after EES. The results suggest that the sampling method described here is a useful tool for the study of patients with AECS.