Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2026
15:43
Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2014
Microbiology of chronic frontal sinusitis
R J Schlosser1, S D London, J M Gwaltney
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0713, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|September 25, 2001
Summary
Bacterial and fungal cultures in chronic frontal sinusitis surgery reveal Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus are common. Organisms may shift after prior surgery, with anaerobes playing a minor role.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Microbiology
- Surgical Infections
Background:
- Chronic frontal sinusitis often requires surgical intervention.
- Understanding the microbial landscape is crucial for effective treatment.
- Previous surgeries may alter the causative organisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify bacterial and fungal pathogens in patients undergoing surgery for chronic frontal sinusitis.
- To investigate potential differences in microbial profiles based on surgical history.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 46 sinus aspirates from 30 patients with chronic frontal sinusitis.
- Bacterial and fungal cultures were performed via frontal sinus trephination.
- Patients were categorized by prior surgical history.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus were frequently isolated from aerobic cultures.
- Haemophilus influenzae was more prevalent in primary cases.
- Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was more common in revision surgery cases.
- Anaerobic and fungal infections were infrequent.
Conclusions:
- The microbial spectrum in chronic frontal sinusitis may evolve following prior surgical procedures.
- Anaerobic bacteria appear to have a limited role.
- The significance of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus requires further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...