Bacteriology of the Sinus Cavities of Asymptomatic Individuals after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Abstract

Coagulase-negative staphylococci, diphtheroids, and S. aureus constitute the predominant flora of the healthy post-ESS sinus cavity and probably represent colonization of the cavity by nasal flora from the contiguous nasal mucosa. These data offer a basis for interpreting sinus cultures obtained in symptomatic patients after ESS. S. aureus may be frequently recovered in asymptomatic patients; thus, not all instances of S. aureus recovery on culture require therapy. Future testing of individuals with this organism will probably have to be modified to better assess factors associated with pathogenicity, such as bacterial load, biofilm formation, or superantigen production. In contrast, gram-negative rods and P. aeruginosa should probably be treated when identified on culture.