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Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports 2/2012

01-04-2012 | Sinusitis (ML Kowalski, Section Editor)

Role of Bacterial and Fungal Biofilms in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Authors: Andrew Foreman, Sam Boase, Alkis Psaltis, Peter-John Wormald

Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports | Issue 2/2012

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Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a very common condition that remains poorly understood from a pathogenic standpoint. Recent interest has been sparked by a potential role for biofilms in this process, with a significant body of evidence implicating them in inciting sinonasal inflammation. Biofilms are clearly present on the sinus mucosa of CRS patients, and their presence there is associated with severe disease characteristics and surgical recalcitrance. We are beginning to understand the importance of the species within these biofilms, but there may be other as-yet-unidentified factors at play in influencing disease outcomes. Recent exciting research has emerged documenting the immune response to the presence of biofilms—research that will ultimately solidify the nature and extent of the contribution of biofilms in CRS pathogenesis. Future research should focus on evidence-based antibiofilm treatments with reference to efficacy and timing of treatment.
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Metadata
Title
Role of Bacterial and Fungal Biofilms in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors
Andrew Foreman
Sam Boase
Alkis Psaltis
Peter-John Wormald
Publication date
01-04-2012
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 1529-7322
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6315
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-012-0246-7

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