Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many factors influence the composition of the sinus microflora. The microbial balance is most disturbed by the use of antibacterial agents. Superinfections caused by more than one pathogen may then occur. Despite treatment, including surgery and long-term antibiotic therapy, many patients with sinusitis do not experience significant relief from their symptoms. It has been hypothesized that an imbalance in the gut microbiota may also be responsible for the chronicity of sinusitis. Our goal was therefore to identify selected gut indicator bacteria that play a role in immunity in patients with chronic sinusitis. In addition, compare the number of selected bacteria in two groups of patients: with chronic sinusitis and with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with concomitant diseases and/or symptoms other than CRS. RESULTS: Significantly decreased numbers of Bifidobacterium spp. and Faecalibacterium prauznitzi bacteria were observed in patients from the G1 group. The majority of patients from this group (12 out of 13) had a significantly decreased number of Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia muciniphila bacteria, which are involved in the nutrition and regeneration of gut epithelium cells and have anti-inflammatory properties. In group G2 (patients with chronic sinusitis and symptoms of comorbidities) a decreased number of F. prausnitzii, Bifidobacterium spp., A. muciniphila and Lactobacillus spp. bacteria was observed. A small percentage of patients in this group showed overgrowth of yeast-like fungi. CONCLUSION: Although the more research is needed, possibly the gut microbiota indicator bacteria number analyses might enable to plan personalized prebiotic and probiotic treatment, which could support intestine microbiota and mucosal immunity patients suffering from chronic sinusitis.