Prevalence of Bacterial Biofilms in Patients of Chronic Rhino Sinusitis (CRS) with or Without Nasal Polyposis

Abstract

Background: Objective. There is growing evidence that bacterial biofilms may play a role in certain cases of recalcitrant CRS that do not respond to traditional medical and surgical therapies. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of biofilm-forming bacteria in clinical isolates of CRS patients with or without nasal polyposis. Methods: A Prospective observational study conducted in the Department of ENT & HNS GMC Srinagar and Department of Microbiology, from September 2018 to August 2020. 60 patients were enrolled in this study who reported to ENT & HNS OPD of Govt. Medical College Srinagar and diagnosed with CRS according to “clinical practice guidelines” 2015 criteria, and were willing to participate in the study. Samples were harvested in the OPD and/or intraoperatively for microscopic examination to determine biofilm presence. Statistical analysis was performed. For all statistical tests, P = .05 was considered significant. Results: In this study on 60 patients Biofilms were present in 32 (53.3%) patients whereas in 28 (46.7%) patients Biofilms were absent (includes 14 culture positive and 14 culture negative patients). Biofilm formation was detected by three different phenotypic methods. Biofilm detection rate were highest by Tissue Culture Plate (TCP) method (56.3%) followed by Tube method (TM) as (46.9%) and Congo Red Agar (CRA) method as (43.8%). Conclusion: This study further elucidates the prevalence of bacterial Biofilms in sinonasal mucosa of CRS patients as Biofilms existed in 53% of the patients under study.