Microbiological Factors and Inflammatory Cytokines in Acute and Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Objective: We aimed to use middle meatus aspiration technique (MMAT) in both microbiological diagnosis and detection of cytokines and to compare the groups having ARS and non-polyp CRS after determining the microbiological agents and the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-32, TGF-beta, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). Material and Methods: The patients were classified as ARS and non-polyp CRS. The microbiological samples were grown on 5% defibrinated sheep blood agar, chocolate agar, Eosin-Methylene Blue agar (EMB), and Sabouraud- dextrose agar (SDA) media. IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 IL-32, TLR2, TSLP, and TGF-beta levels of biochemical samples were studied by ELISA method using commercial kits. Results: Samples of nasal discharge were collected in a total of 44 patients. The difference between ARS Group and Non-polyp CRS Group regarding the culture growth of pathogens was statistically significant. The levels of TSLP, TGF-beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IL-32 were not in conformity with a normal distribution. The differences between ARS Group and Non-polyp CRS Group were not significant regarding these variable. Conclusion: We have the opinion that, MMAT is a non-invasive method that can be performed at the circumstances of an outpatient clinic and can be used for microbiological diagnosis as well as routine identification of inflammatory processes Keywords: Acute rhinosinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, inflammation, microbiology, pathophysiology