Is chronic rhinosinusitis caused by persistent respiratory virus infection?

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Disease
• Immunology

Background:

• Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) often follows upper respiratory tract infections.
• Viral infections may trigger CRS by obstructing the osteomeatal complex.
• CRS shares pathogenesis with asthma, with childhood viral infections increasing asthma risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence of respiratory viruses in sinonasal mucosa of CRS patients.
• To determine if persistent viral infections contribute to CRS inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Sinus mucosa samples were collected from 13 CRS patients and 2 controls.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect common respiratory viruses.
• Tested viruses included parainfluenza, RSV, hMPV, ADV, rhinovirus, coronavirus, BoV, CMV, and influenza A/B.

Main Results:

• No respiratory viruses were detected in any of the sinonasal mucosa samples.
• The study did not find evidence of persistent viral presence in CRS.

Conclusions:

• Persistent respiratory viruses are unlikely to be a cause of chronic inflammation in CRS.
• Initial transient viral infection remains a possibility for triggering CRS.