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Biofilms in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

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Diseases of the Sinuses

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Abstract

Bacterial biofilms are three-dimensional aggregates of bacteria encased in secreted exopolysaccharides and lack the vulnerability to antibiotics that planktonic bacteria demonstrate. Biofilm-forming bacteria are very common in the otolaryngology literature and have been demonstrated to form in chronic sinusitis, otitis media, chronic tonsillitis, adenoiditis, and device infections such as tympanostomy and tracheostomy tubes. Bacterial biofilms are a likely contributing factor to medically recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis. Tactics developed to treat planktonic bacteria are ineffective against bacteria in a biofilm. This helps explain a portion of the persistent and recurrent infections observed in chronic rhinosinusitis. Understanding how biofilms form is fundamental to developing rational strategies for prevention and treatment of biofilm-associated chronic rhinosinusitis. New investigations into therapeutic remedies aimed at eradicating biofilm infections are ongoing and hold promise for developing treatment modalities for individuals suffering from recurrent infections associated with chronic rhinosinusitis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Rhinology and Skull Base, Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 5 Ravdin Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Nithin D. Adappa MD

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 5 Ravdin Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA, 19072, USA

    James N. Palmer MD

Authors
  1. Nithin D. Adappa MD
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  2. James N. Palmer MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nithin D. Adappa MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Wilmington, Delaware, USA

    Christopher C. Chang

  2. Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, Davis, California, USA

    Gary A. Incaudo

  3. The Jack and Donald Chia Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, Davis, California, USA

    M. Eric Gershwin

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Adappa, N.D., Palmer, J.N. (2014). Biofilms in Chronic Rhinosinusitis. In: Chang, C., Incaudo, G., Gershwin, M. (eds) Diseases of the Sinuses. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0265-1_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0265-1_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-0264-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0265-1

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