The sinonasal bacterial microbiome in health and disease

Abstract

Purpose of review: The development of culture-independent bacterial DNA sequencing techniques and integration into research practice has led to a burgeoning interest in the microbiome and its relevance to human health and disease. Introduction into the study of chronic rhinosinusitis in the past few years has shaped current thinking on the role of bacteria in the disease process.

Recent findings: Rich and diverse populations of bacteria inhabit the sinonasal cavity at all times. Decreased bacterial richness and diversity may be associated with disease state and outcomes.

Summary: Although there is much to be explored, the sinus microbiome appears to have potentially promising roles in many aspects of sinus health and disease.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1

Total bacteria/ml in each of 25 sample swabs obtained from 14 CRS patients and nine healthy control study participants, as determined by counting colonies grown with traditional culture using Amies media (BD Diagnostic Systems, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey), and with culture-independent [48] QPCR (line of fit r2 = 0.292, P = 0.0053 using paired t-test and multivariate linear regression). Each point represents an average of colonies grown in duplicate culture and DNA amplified with triplicate QPCR. QPCR, quantitative PCR.