The microbial etiology and antimicrobial therapy of adults with acute community-acquired sinusitis: a fifteen-year experience at the University of Virginia and review of other selected studies

Development of Thermoresponsive-Gel-Matrix-Embedded Amoxicillin Trihydrate-Loaded Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles for Local Intranasal Therapy

A high dose of amoxicillin is recommended as the first-line therapy for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABR). However, oral administration of amoxicillin is connected to many adverse reactions coupled with moderate bioavailability (~60%). Therefore, this study aimed to develop a topical nasal preparation of amoxicillin, employing a thermoresponsive nanogel system to increase nasal residence time and prolong drug release. Rheological investigations revealed that formulations containing 21−23% w/w Poloxamer 407 (P407) were in accordance with the requirement of nasal administration (gelling temperature ~35 °C). The average hydrodynamic diameter (<200 nm), pH (6.7−6.9), and hypertonic osmolality (611−663 mOsmol/L) of the in situ gelling nasal nanogel appeared as suitable characteristics for local rhinosinusitis treatment. Moreover, taking into account the mucoadhesive strength and drug release studies, the 21% w/w P407 could be considered as an optimized concentration for effective nasal delivery. Antibacterial activity studies showed that the ability of amoxicillin-loaded in situ gelling nasal nanogel to inhibit bacterial growth (five common ABR pathogens) preserved its effectiveness in comparison to 1 mg/mL amoxicillin aqueous solution as a positive control. Altogether, the developed amoxicillin-loaded in situ gelling thermoresponsive nasal nanogel can be a potential candidate for local antibiotic therapy in the nasal cavity.

Chronic and Recurrent Sinusitis in Children, as Manifestation of Immune Dysfunction and Atopic Background

Rhinosinusitis in children, as in adults, can be classified by duration (acute, recurrent, and chronic) and by cause (viral, bacterial, and inflammatory) and needs to be treated accordingly after careful investigation which include through clinical history, laboratory tests, and, if necessary, nasal endoscopy and imaging studies.

Association between chronic rhinosinusitis and pneumonia: a longitudinal follow-up study using a national health screening cohort

This study was aimed to compare the risk of pneumonia between patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and those without CRS (control) in a Korean population. The population aged 40 years or over was included from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort. Participants with CRS (n = 6393) and controls (n = 25,572) were selected by 1:4 matching for age, sex, income, region of residence, and history of pneumonia for the previous 1 year. The index date (ID) of the controls was set as the treatment date of their matched CRS participants. The incidence of pneumonia after the ID was measured from 2003 to 2015. Simple and multiple linear regressions were performed to calculate estimated values (EVs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 1-y post-ID pneumonia, 2-y post-ID pneumonia, and 3-y post-ID pneumonia in CRS participants compared to controls. Statistical significance was noted in the 3-y post-ID period (EV = 0.017, 95% CI = 0.002–0.031, P = 0.030). In the subgroup analyses according to age and sex, statistical significance was seen in the younger age group (< 60 years old) in the 3-y post-ID period and in the female group in the 1-y and 3-y post-ID periods. This study revealed an increased risk for pneumonia following a diagnosis of CRS.

Streptococcus Intermedius as the cause of sphenoid sinusitis & associated extensive skull base and neck thrombophlebitis & thrombosis

Acute bacterial sinusitis may be complicated by orbital and intracranial involvement and by thrombophlebitis. Its spread across multiple anatomic compartments is facilitated by the interconnected venous anatomy of the head and neck and the virulence of the primary pathogen. We present a rare case of Streptococcus Intermedius (S. Intermedius) acute bacterial sinusitis complicated by extensive skull base involvement including cavernous sinuses and neck vein thrombophlebitis and thrombosis.

Prevalence and clinical presentation of sinusitis in pediatric age group in Aseer, Saudi Arabia

Background:

Paediatric rhinosinusitis is mostly different than that in adults. More frequently, children presented with cough, bad breath, crankiness, low energy, and swelling around the eyes, besides a thick yellow-green nasal or post-nasal discharge. About 5- 13% of childhood viral upper respiratory tract infections may advance to acute rhinosinusitis, with some of them developing a chronic condition.

Aim:

To assess prevalence and clinical presentation of sinusitis in the paediatric age group in Aseer, Saudi Arabia.

Methodology:

A retrospective record-based study was conducted in Abha Maternity and Children Hospital in Abha city, Saudi Arabia between January 2015 and January 2018. All medical records during the study period for children whose from to 15 years old attended the hospital and diagnosed as having sinusitis were included.

Results:

The study included 100 children with complete files whose ages ranged from less than 1 year to up to 13 years old with a mean age of 5.3 4.2 years. Nearly 51% of the children aged 4 years or less and male were 53 (53%). Past history for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) was positive among 30 children. Regarding clinical presentations of rhinosinusitis (RS) as reported by the children caregivers, fever was the most reported complaint (50%) followed by red eye (44%), ringing nose (42%), cough (41%) and headache (36%). Mucous culture was positive among 58 cases. The most isolated pathogens were streptococcus pneumoniae (45.6%), Haemophilis influenza (24.6%).

Conclusions:

In conclusion, the study revealed that CRS is a common disease in children at different ages, especially, maxillary and frontal sinuses. In most of the cases, medical treatment is highly appreciated; though, surgical intervention may be needed in a small percentage.

Isolated Horner’s Syndrome Secondary To Rhinosinusitis: A Case Report And Literature Review

Background

Horner’s syndrome (HS) is characterized by unilateral ptosis, ipsilateral miosis with normally reactive pupil, and in some cases, ipsilateral facial anhidrosis.

Case presentation

We report an adult male presenting with ptosis. Neurological examination revealed ptosis and miosis in the right eye. Anhidrosis was not observed, and the patient did not complain about it. Laboratory tests were within normal limits. He had searched a general practitioner because of purulent nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, and anosmia. He was diagnosed with acute rhinosinusitis. Symptomatic treatment was started. The subject had full recovery of the nasal symptoms, but his right upper eyelid was drooping progressively. In the follow-up, after the third month, the patient was recovering from ptosis and miosis. In 1 year, the ptosis was minor with less than 1 mm and miosis was no more observed.

Discussion

A few cases of HS secondary to a sinus infection have been reported in the literature. To the authors’ knowledge, there are only two case reports of individuals who developed sinusitis and Horner’s syndrome. The present case is the first to present isolated HS features. Our report suggests that sinusitis should be listed as a probable cause of isolated Horner’s syndrome. Moreover, patients presenting with this presentation probably have a good prognosis.

Potential impact of outpatient stewardship interventions on antibiotic exposures of common bacterial pathogens

The relationship between antibiotic stewardship and population levels of antibiotic resistance remains unclear. In order to better understand shifts in selective pressure due to stewardship, we use publicly available data to estimate the effect of changes in prescribing on exposures to frequently used antibiotics experienced by potentially pathogenic bacteria that are asymptomatically colonizing the microbiome. We quantify this impact under four hypothetical stewardship strategies. In one scenario, we estimate that elimination of all unnecessary outpatient antibiotic use could avert 6% to 48% (IQR: 17% to 31%) of exposures across pairwise combinations of sixteen common antibiotics and nine bacterial pathogens. All scenarios demonstrate that stewardship interventions, facilitated by changes in clinician behavior and improved diagnostics, have the opportunity to broadly reduce antibiotic exposures across a range of potential pathogens. Concurrent approaches, such as vaccines aiming to reduce infection incidence, are needed to further decrease exposures occurring in ‘necessary’ contexts.

Use of Dipstick Assay and Rapid PCR-DNA Analysis of Nasal Secretions for Diagnosis of Bacterial Sinusitis in Children With Chronic Cough

BACKGROUND

Chronic cough in children is a diagnostic challenge.

OBJECTIVE

To discover the utility of nasal dipsticks and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-DNA analysis in differentiating bacterial sinusitis from other causes of chronic cough and identifying pathogens from the nasal cavity.

METHOD

We recruited 22 patients under 15 years of age with cough lasting longer than 4 weeks (group 1), 7 controls with allergic rhinitis (group 2), and 10 controls without respiratory symptoms (group 3). Based on symptoms, the results of nasal secretion assays, and nasal endoscopy, a diagnosis of clinical bacterial sinusitis was made. We identified potential pathogens by quantitative PCR of nasal secretions.

RESULTS

Group 1A (cough with clinical bacterial sinusitis n = 10): Eight (80%) patients had bacterial sinusitis associated with dominant potential pathogenic bacteria (PPB): Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Group 1B (cough without clinical bacterial sinusitis n = 12): None had dominant PPB. Group 2 (allergic rhinitis n = 7): None had dominant PPB. Group 3 (asymptomatic n = 10): None had dominant PPB. Twenty to 57% of all groups were colonized with Staphylococcus aureus. Fifty to 70% were colonized with Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum, and Dolosigranulum pigrum.

CONCLUSION

In children with chronic cough, clinicians can utilize a simple and inexpensive nasal secretion dipstick assay for rapid diagnosis of sinusitis and identify PPB by DNA-PCR test for specific antibiotic treatment.

Treatment of a Woman With Glycyrrhiza glabra for Acute Sinusitis: A Case Report

Objective

Clinical Features

Intervention and Outcome

Conclusion

Gram Negative Sinusitis: An Emerging Clinical Entity?

Traditionally sinusitis has been classified as acute or chronic based on the duration of patient symptoms, and treatment has been based on empiric principles, as the bacteriologic spectrum is felt to be understood, and culturing of nasal secretions has been frowned upon in the past. In this investigation, endoscopically guided cultures were obtained and analyzed from patients, with chronic sinusitis referred to a rhinologic surgeon for evaluation. Often sinusitis was “recalcitrant” to Standard medical and/or surgical therapy. Ninety-eight cultures were obtained from 47 patients with chronic sinusitis who had pathologic sinus secretions noted during the study period. Gram negative enteric bacteria were noted in 47/134 (34.1%) total isolates, a particularly high frequency. Organisms isolated included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, and Enterobacter aerogenes. The results are significant as gram negative bacteria have been previously reported only infrequently as a cause of sinusitis. Data from this study suggest that endoscopically guided cultures may be helpful in directing medical therapy, especially in longstanding cases of chronic sinusitis that has been “recalcitrant” to traditional medical and surgical therapy. In these patients a shift in the bacterial spectrum to include gram negative organisms, not typically associated with sinusitis, may occur. Empiric selection of standard antimicrobial therapy for chronic sinusitis may not address these bacteria. Classifying sinus disease solely on symptom duration is an oversimplification, and the bacterial spectrum of sinusitis may not be as limited as previous studies suggest. Possible pathophysiologic mechanisms for the shift in the bacterial spectrum and poor response to treatment are discussed.

Medical Management of Sinusitis: Educational Goals and Management Guidelines

The primary goal of sinusitis management is resolution of infection, leading to patency of the ostiomeatal complex. Antibiotics and decongestants are the cornerstones of therapy for acute sinusitis. Diagnosis of acute sinusitis is based on the history and physical findings. Sinusitis is considered to be acute or recurrent acute if infection resolves without residual mucosal damage. Choices for first-line antibiotic therapy include adequate dosages of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, loracarbef, and amoxicillin-clavulanate. Decongestants and mucoevacuants may reduce tissue edema, facilitate drainage, and maintain ostial patency. Topical corticosteroids are useful additional therapy in allergic rhinosinusitis and as an aid in the long-term management of chronic sinusitis. Parenteral corticosteroids have no role in first-line management of acute or recurrent acute sinusitis.

Quantification for Staging Sinusitis

A method of quantifying the symptoms, radiologic data, and endoscopic findings in extensive sinus disease is proposed. It is intended to enable clinicians to classify patients with extensive sinus disease according to severity of disease and prognostic category. The rubric of extensive sinus disease, for scoring and staging, comprises recurrent acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis, but not an isolated episode of acute sinusitis. The method assigns simple numeric scores to specific computed tomography findings, elements of surgical history, presence of defining symptoms of sinusitis, and endoscopic appearance. This quantitative system may be rationalized into a staging system.

A Comparison of Endoscopic Culture Techniques for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Background

Recent evidence suggests that endoscopically obtained cultures from the middle meatus give comparable results to antral puncture for acute sinusitis. The best method for obtaining middle meatal cultures remains somewhat controversial because it has been theorized that specimens obtained with a swab are contaminated easily. This study compares endoscopic culture results from two different methods: swab and aspiration. Specifically, this study sought to determine whether or not the culture contamination rate is higher using the swab versus an aspiration technique.

Methods

One hundred consecutive culture specimens from 81 chronic rhinosinusitis patients were compared. Fifty cultures were obtained using a swab technique (group I) and another 50 cultures were obtained by aspirating pathological material into a sterile suction trap (group II). The patient populations in each group were similar; there were no differences in terms of age, gender, comorbid medical conditions, or prior medical therapy. Cultures were considered contaminated if they yielded normal nasal flora or if rare or few Staphylococcus coagulase-negative colonies grew after no bacteria was identified in gram stain. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus coagulase-negative, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the three most common organisms in both groups.

Results

Gram-negative bacteria were noted in 21/60 (35%) positive cultures. Although the contamination rate of the suction aspiration group (14%) was less than the endoscopic swab group (10%), this did not approach statistical significance (p = 0.75).

Conclusions

Data from this study suggest that endoscopically guided aspiration of pathological material is no better than properly obtained swabs in directing antimicrobial therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis.

The Cost-Effectiveness of the Management of Acute Sinusitis

Background

Sinusitis is a common medical disease with a tremendous economic impact on health care. Our objective was to determine the most cost-effective strategy for the management of acute sinusitis from the societal and payers’ perspectives.

Methods

A Markov disease simulation model was used for comparing four treatment strategies: (1) no antibiotic (Abx), (2) empiric Abx, (3) CT-based Abx, and (4) clinical guideline-based Abx.

Results

Empiric Abx treatment was the most cost-effective from the societal perspective. Clinical guideline-based treatment was the most cost-effective strategy from the payers’ perspective ($38,515/quality-adjusted life year). Cost and effectiveness of Abx, time lost from work, and prevalence of acute bacterial sinusitis are influential variables.

Conclusion

Empiric Abx treatment is a cost-effective strategy from the short-term societal perspective. However, Abx resistance will lead to increased costs and reduced efficacy of this strategy in the long-term. Clinical guidelines provide a low-cost method of targeting therapy.

Differential diagnosis and proper treatment of acute rhinosinusitis: Guidance based on historical data analysis

Background:

The time course of rhinovirus positive and negative rhinosinusitis has not been quantified yet, which aggravates proper selection and justification of the optimum treatment for this illness. Such quantitative information would facilitate an early and proper identification of the disease and its differentiation from acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, and could diminish harmful overuse of antibiotics, arguably driven by patients' want for attention and the treating physicians' inability to offer an adequate verbal comfort in its stead.

Objective:

Extraction of the quantitative information needed to identify rhinovirus positive or negative rhinosinusitis and to allow selection of the most appropriate treatment from the published time dependence of individual clinical symptoms of the disease.

Methods:

Scrutiny (and modeling) of temporal evolution of all noteworthy symptoms of rhinosinusitis with a simple mathematical expression that relies on two adjustable parameters per symptom (and potentially a general time offset as an extra adjustable parameter).

Results:

Adverse effects of rhinosinusitis can be grouped according to the sequence of their exponential appearance and ∼2.6 times slower exponential disappearance, rhinovirus negative rhinosinusitis generally improving ∼25% faster and being ∼40% less severe. The major early local symptoms (throat soreness and scratchiness, headache) vanish with a half-life of ∼1.8 days, whereas further local symptoms take ∼1.6 times longer to disappear. At least 50–60% improvement of two prominent early symptoms, sore throat and sneezing (but not of nasal discharge, cough, and hoarseness) by day 5 of the disease implies a nonbacterial origin of rhinitis and should exclude use of antibiotics.

Conclusion:

Temporal evolution of all rhinosinusitis symptoms is qualitatively similar, which makes the early symptom decay a good proxy for, and predictor of, the disease perspective. Knowing a symptom intensity at just three to four time points suffices for reconstructing its entire time course and total intensity or gravity. This permits an easy and early identification of rhinosinusitis, and its plausible differentiation from acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, disease treatment optimization, and corresponding clinical trials simplification and/or shortening.

Guidelines for the Antibiotic Use in Adults with Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

These guidelines were developed as part of the 2016 Policy Research Servicing Project by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A multidisciplinary approach was taken to formulate this guideline to provide practical information about the diagnosis and treatment of adults with acute upper respiratory tract infection, with the ultimate aim to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics. The formulation of this guideline was based on a systematic literature review and analysis of the latest research findings to facilitate evidence-based practice, and focused on key questions to help clinicians obtain solutions to clinical questions that may arise during the care of a patient. These guidelines mainly cover the subjects on the assessment of antibiotic indications and appropriate selection of antibiotics for adult patients with acute pharyngotonsillitis or acute sinusitis.

Parainfluenza Virus Infection

Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are single-stranded, enveloped RNA viruses of the Paramyoviridaie family. There are four serotypes which cause respiratory illnesses in children and adults. HPIVs bind and replicate in the ciliated epithelial cells of the upper and lower respiratory tract and the extent of the infection correlates with the location involved. Seasonal HPIV epidemics result in a significant burden of disease in children and account for 40% of pediatric hospitalizations for lower respiratory tract illnesses (LRTIs) and 75% of croup cases. Parainfluenza viruses are associated with a wide spectrum of illnesses which include otitis media, pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, croup, tracheobronchitis, and pneumonia. Uncommon respiratory manifestations include apnea, bradycardia, parotitis, and respiratory distress syndrome and rarely disseminated infection. Immunity resulting from disease in childhood is incomplete and reinfection with HPIV accounts for 15% of respiratory illnesses in adults. Severe disease and fatal pneumonia may occur in elderly and immunocompromised adults. HPIV pneumonia in recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is associated with 50% acute mortality and 75% mortality at 6 months. Though sensitive molecular diagnostics are available to rapidly diagnose HPIV infection, effective antiviral therapies are not available. Currently, treatment for HPIV infection is supportive with the exception of croup where the use of corticosteroids has been found to be beneficial. Several novel drugs including DAS181 appear promising in efforts to treat severe disease in immunocompromised patients, and vaccines to decrease the burden of disease in young children are in development.

Diagnosis and Management of Rhinosinusitis: Highlights from the 2015 Practice Parameter

Rhinosinusitis is a commonly diagnosed disease in the USA. Rhinosinusitis is classified as acute, recurrent, or chronic (with or without nasal polyps). While acute rhinosinusitis is diagnosed by history and physical examination, chronic rhinosinusitis and recurrent acute rhinosinusitis are diagnosed based on symptoms and the presence of disease on either a sinus CT scan and/or endoscopy. Management of uncomplicated acute rhinosinusitis includes analgesics, saline irrigation, and/or intranasal steroids. Antibiotics and intranasal steroids are recommended for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Intranasal and oral steroids with antibiotics are recommended to treat chronic rhinosinusitis although the evidence for antibiotics is weak. Biologics such as omalizumab and mepolizumab are being investigated for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Surgery may be indicated in management of refractory chronic rhinosinusitis and rarely for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. This review discusses highlights of the updated 2014 practice parameter and up-to-date evidence from other literature sources.

Management of Acute and Chronic Sinusitis in Adult Patients

Sinusitis is a highly prevalent illness in the United States resulting in significant sinus discomfort and pain. Diagnoses of sinusitis are typically based on patients’clinical presentations but are complicated because numerous microbiologic etiologies exist (viruses, bacteria, fungi). Along with its diagnosis, sinusitis should be classified as acute or chronic on the basis of the duration of symptoms. It is important to differentiate acute from chronic sinusitis because their etiologies and treatments may differ. Patients who present with symptoms of acute sinusitis for at least 1 week after an acute viral illness are appropriate candidates for antibiotics. Antibiotic choices should be based on local resistance patterns and patients’ characteristics, but a 2-week course of first-line antibiotics (eg, amoxicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) is usually sufficient. Compared to that of acute sinusitis, the management of chronic bacterial sinusitis is more complicated and controversial. Chronic sinusitis may be medically or surgically managed. Medical therapy of chronic bacterial sinusitis should consist of a prolonged course of antibiotics (4 to 6 weeks). Broad-spectrum antibiotics should be used, covering Staphylococcus aureus, • -lactamase-producing organisms, and in certain situations anaerobes. Adjunctive therapy with saline nasal spray, nasal decongestants, and inhaled nasal corticosteroids may be helpful for certain patients with acute or chronic sinusitis.

WITHDRAWN: Antibiotics for acute maxillary sinusitis in adults

Currently, two separate Cochrane reviews, ‘Antibiotics for acute maxillary sinusitis in adults ’ and ‘Antibiotics for clinically diagnosed acute rhinosinusitis in adults ’ describe the effect of antibiotics for acute rhinosinusitis. Although both Cochrane reviews study the same condition, they look at different populations (patients in which the diagnosis was based on clinical signs and symptoms and patients in which the diagnosis was confirmed by imaging). Because of this, the conclusions are different in these Cochrane reviews. This was confusing for clinicians who needed to read both Cochrane reviews to know which conclusions are most applicable to their patients.
 
 This review is being withdrawn and will be incorporated into the updated publication of ‘Antibiotics for clinically diagnosed acute rhinosinusitis in adults ’. This ‘merged’ review will still maintain the relevant distinction between the two populations. However, information on the effectiveness of antibiotics for rhinosinusitis will be published in the ‘merged’ Cochrane review. We will omit the comparison between antibiotics (as published in this Cochrane review) because the choice for certain antibiotics and/or doses differs according to the local antibiotic resistance patterns and therefore this comparison is less relevant.

The editorial group responsible for this previously published document have withdrawn it from publication.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis affects sinonasal microbiota

BACKGROUND

Microbes and allergens can stimulate the nasal mucosa, potentially leading to the development of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS). This study was designed to determine if allergen exposure alters the sinonasal microbiome.

METHODS

We performed a parallel observational study of healthy adults with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR; grass or tree, n = 20) or nonallergic subjects (n = 19). Microbiota specimens were obtained by endoscopy from the middle meatus and vestibule before and during the relevant season and were analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Differences in bacterial microbiota were assessed by standard ecological measures of bacterial diversity. Quality of life and symptom scores were recorded, and nasal lavages for eosinophils were performed.

RESULTS

SAR subjects had increased nasal symptoms in season, impaired disease-specific quality of life, and increased nasal eosinophils, compared with no changes in nonallergic subjects. During the season, SAR subjects had a significantly greater variety of organisms in the middle meatus compared with nonallergic subjects (p < 0.036) and increased bacterial diversity (Shannon index, p < 0.013). We found a significant positive correlation between bacterial diversity in the middle meatus during the season and the nasal lavage eosinophil count of SAR subjects. There were no significant changes in the nasal vestibule (p > 0.05, all comparisons).

CONCLUSION

The interaction of allergy and microbiota may affect the sinonasal physiology, with broad implications for several airway diseases. Characterization of the specific organisms involved using next-generation sequencing may clarify the relationship between allergic inflammation and ABRS. This finding may help explain why allergic inflammation predisposes to ABRS.

Management and outcomes in children with sinogenic intracranial abscesses

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience of sinogenic intracranial abscesses in the paediatric population and to guide medical and surgical management.

METHODS

All children with sinogenic intracranial abscesses presenting to a large university teaching hospital over a five-year period were included in the study. Data on clinical presentation, radiological findings, microbiology, medical and surgical management and follow-up were recorded and analysed.

RESULTS

We identified 27 children aged 12.9 ± 3.4 years of which 56% were male. Fourteen (52%) children had extradural abscesses, nine (33%) subdural abscesses and four (15%) parenchymal abscesses. Early sinus drainage procedures were performed on 24 (89%) patients, and the same number required neurosurgical drainage. Streptococcus milleri was isolated in 18 (67%) cases. An initial conservative neurosurgical approach failed in 50% of cases where trialled, and was associated with longer length of stay (p = 0.025). In comparison to extradural abscesses, subdural abscesses were more likely to present with neurological deficits (p < 0.001) and reduced consciousness (p = 0.018), and required multiple neurosurgical procedures (p < 0.001), longer stays (p = 0.017), and had greater morbidity at six months (p = 0.017). A third of children had significant morbidity at six months, which included cognitive and behavioural problems (25%), residual hemiparesis (19%) and expressive dysphasia (7%). There were no mortalities.

CONCLUSION

Sinusitis complicated by intracranial abscess remains a contemporary problem. We demonstrate good outcomes with an early combined rhinological and neurosurgical approach. S. milleri is identified as the causative organism in the majority of cases, and empirical antimicrobial treatments should reflect this.

Antibiotics for acute maxillary sinusitis in adults

BACKGROUND

Sinusitis is one of the most common diagnoses among adults in ambulatory care, accounting for 15% to 21% of all adult outpatient antibiotic prescriptions. However, the role of antibiotics for sinusitis is controversial.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of antibiotics in adults with acute maxillary sinusitis by comparing antibiotics with placebo, antibiotics from different classes and the side effects of different treatments.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL 2013, Issue 2, MEDLINE (1946 to March week 3, 2013), EMBASE (1974 to March 2013), SIGLE (OpenSIGLE, later OpenGrey (accessed 15 January 2013)), reference lists of the identified trials and systematic reviews of placebo-controlled studies. We also searched for ongoing trials via ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). We imposed no language or publication restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing antibiotics with placebo or antibiotics from different classes for acute maxillary sinusitis in adults. We included trials with clinically diagnosed acute sinusitis, confirmed or not by imaging or bacterial culture.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened search results, extracted data and assessed trial quality. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) for differences between intervention and control groups in whether the treatment failed or not. All measures are presented with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We conducted the meta-analyses using either the fixed-effect or random-effects model. In meta-analyses of the placebo-controlled studies, we combined data across antibiotic classes. Primary outcomes were clinical failure rates at 7 to 15 days and 16 to 60 days follow-up. We used GRADEpro to assess the quality of the evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 63 studies in this updated review; nine placebo-controlled studies involving 1915 participants (seven of the studies clearly conducted in primary care settings) and 54 studies comparing different classes of antibiotics (10 different comparisons). Five studies at low risk of bias comparing penicillin or amoxicillin to placebo provided information on the main outcome: clinical failure rate at 7 to 15 days follow-up, defined as a lack of full recovery or improvement, for participants with symptoms lasting at least seven days. In these studies antibiotics decreased the risk of clinical failure (pooled RR of 0.66, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.94, 1084 participants randomised, 1058 evaluated, moderate quality evidence). However, the clinical benefit was small. Cure or improvement rates were high in both the placebo group (86%) and the antibiotic group (91%) in these five studies. When clinical failure was defined as a lack of full recovery (n = five studies), results were similar: antibiotics decreased the risk of failure (pooled RR of 0.73, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.85, high quality evidence) at 7 to 15 days follow-up.Adverse effects in seven of the nine placebo-controlled studies (comparing penicillin, amoxicillin, azithromycin or moxicillin to placebo) were more common in antibiotic than in placebo groups (median of difference between groups 10.5%, range 2% to 23%). However, drop-outs due to adverse effects were rare in both groups: 1.5% in antibiotic groups and 1% in control groups.In the 10 head-to-head comparisons, none of the antibiotic preparations were superior to another. However, amoxicillin-clavulanate had significantly more drop-outs due to adverse effects than cephalosporins and macrolides.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is moderate evidence that antibiotics provide a small benefit for clinical outcomes in immunocompetent primary care patients with uncomplicated acute sinusitis. However, about 80% of participants treated without antibiotics improved within two weeks. Clinicians need to weigh the small benefits of antibiotic treatment against the potential for adverse effects at both the individual and general population levels.

No Evidence for Distinguishing Bacterial from Viral Acute Rhinosinusitis Using Symptom Duration and Purulent Rhinorrhea

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic value of symptom duration and purulent rhinorrhea in adults suspected of having acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.

Data Sources

PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.

Review Methods

We performed a comprehensive systematic search on March 28, 2013. We included studies on the diagnostic value of duration of symptoms and purulent rhinorrhea in patients suspected of having acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. We assessed study design of included articles for directness of evidence and risk of bias. We extracted prevalence and positive and negative predictive values.

Results

Of 4173 unique publications, we included 1 study with high directness of evidence and moderate risk of bias. The prior probability of bacterial rhinosinusitis was 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.35); we could not extract posterior probabilities. Odds ratios (95% CI) from univariate analysis were 1.03 (0.78-1.36) for duration of symptoms and 2.69 (1.39-5.18) for colored discharge on the floor of the nasal cavity.

Conclusion and Recommendation

We included 1 study with moderate risk of bias, reporting data in such a manner that we could not assess the value of symptom duration and purulent rhinorrhea in adults suspected of having acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Recommendations to distinguish between a viral and a bacterial source based on purulent rhinorrhea are not supported by evidence, and the decision to prescribe antibiotic treatment should not depend on its presence. Based on judgment driven by theory and subsidiary evidence of a greater likelihood of bacterial rhinosinusitis after 10 days, antibiotic therapy may seem a reasonable empirical option.

Incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and positive maxillary antral cultures in children with symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVES

Studies have shown that gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs more frequently than expected in children with chronic rhinosinusitis. The objective of this study is to further understand the relationship of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with symptoms of rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and chronic cough.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of 63 children, ages 6 months to 10 years old with rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and chronic cough. The patients underwent maxillary cultures, adenoidectomy, and distal third esophageal biopsies. Children with esophageal biopsies showing esophagitis were classified as positive for gastroesophageal reflux disease, and maxillary antral swabs growing a high density of bacteria were classified as positive for chronic rhinosinusitis.

RESULTS

Six months to 5 years old children (n=43), 6 (14%) had simultaneous positive maxillary antral cultures and positive esophageal biopsies, 11 (26%) had positive esophageal biopsies alone, 23 (53%) had positive maxillary antral cultures alone, and 3 (7%) had neither. Six to 10 years old children (n=20), 9 (45%) had simultaneous positive maxillary antral cultures and positive esophageal biopsies, 1 (5%) patient had positive esophageal biopsies alone, 3 (15%) patients had positive maxillary antral cultures alone, and 7 (35%) patients had neither. Twenty-seven (42%) of the patients from the whole study had gastroesophageal reflux positive biopsies. The younger children were statistically likely to have chronic rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease independently of each other (p=0.0002). A direct group comparison found the younger group to have independent chronic rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease and the older group to have simultaneous chronic rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (p=0.0006).

CONCLUSION

In children with the presenting symptoms of rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and chronic cough, younger children tend to have either chronic rhinosinusitis or gastroesophageal reflux disease, whereas older children tend to have a more complicated etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease or other. In all of these patients gastroesophageal reflux disease plays an important role, as over 40% of all patients had gastroesophageal positive biopsies.

Epidemiology and Control: Principles, Practice and Programs

Infectious disease epidemiology is concerned with the occurrence of both infection and disease in populations and the factors that determine their frequency, spread, expression and distribution. Viruses show characteristic infectivity, virulence and pathogenicity. The most well established host factors are age, sex and race, but other host biological and behavioral factors affect acquisition of viral infection and/or its course and manifestations. The physical, chemical and biological environment operates on the virus itself and may also alter the host biological or behavioral response. Viral infections have incubation periods lasting days or weeks, while their pathologic sequelae may not manifest for years or decades. Likewise the degree or intensity of host response and clinical expression may range from largely inapparent to highly lethal. The degree of cell, tissue and organ specificity is high. Common syndromes involve the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems, the liver, and mucocutaneous surfaces. Vertical transmission may produce a variety of congenital and perinatal conditions. Viruses spread by multiple modes, using nearly every bodily surface or fluid as a route of exit or entry, either by direct contact or indirectly through an animal vector or other inanimate vehicle. Different viral Infections occur nearly ubiquitously or sporadically; they may be present continuously throughout a population (endemic) or occur in seasonal rhythm or in unexpectedly explosive form (epidemic). Many viruses are refractory to all known therapeutic agents, while for a few, the increasing number of highly effective agents holds great promise. Vaccines have produced many historical successes including the ultimate goal of eradication, but many viral infections continue to elude effective vaccine development. Major government and private sector programs for treatment and prevention have raised expectations of successful control for certain widespread and serious viral diseases; however, in every case a unique set of scientific, socioeconomic, political and behavioral barriers remains to be overcome.

Characterisation of patients receiving moxifloxacin for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in clinical practice: results from an international, observational cohort study

We conducted a prospective, non-controlled, multi-centre Phase IV observational cohort study of patients with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis who were treated with moxifloxacin in clinical practice in 19 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. With the data collected we evaluated the presentation and course of the current disease episode, particularly in terms of the principal clinical signs and symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis and diagnostic procedures. A final assessment of moxifloxacin therapy was made to evaluate the impact of the sinusitis episode on activities of daily life and on sleep disturbance, and to evaluate the clinical outcome of treatment. A total of 7,090 patients were enrolled, of whom 3909 (57.6%) were included in the valid for clinical outcome and safety population. Regional differences were observed in the main symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis and, according to several characteristics, disease episodes appeared to be more severe in patients in Europe than in the Asia Pacific or Middle East regions. The sinusitis episode impacted on daily living for mean (SD) periods of 3.6 (3.2), 4.6 (3.9) and 3.1 (3.0) days and disturbed sleep for 3.6 (3.2), 4.6 (3.9) and 3.1 (3.0) nights in the Asia Pacific, Europe and Middle East regions, respectively. With moxifloxacin treatment, the mean (SD) time to improvement of symptoms was 3.0 (1.5), 3.4 (1.6) and 3.2 (1.5) days, and the time to resolution of symptoms was 4.8 (2.6) days, 5.7 (2.4) days and 5.5 (2.5) days, in the Asia Pacific, Europe and Middle East regions, respectively. In conclusion, acute rhinosinusitis remains a substantial health burden with significant impact on patients’ quality of life, and there are differences between global regions in the clinical presentation, diagnosis and clinical course of disease episodes. Moxifloxacin was an effective and well-tolerated treatment option in the overall population.

Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00930488

Acute sinusitis in children

Acute rhinosinusitis is a common illness in children. Viral upper respiratory tract infection is the most common presentation of rhinosinusitis. Most children resolve the infection spontaneously and only a small proportion develops a secondary bacterial infection. The proper choice of antibiotic therapy depends on the likely infecting pathogens, bacterial antibiotic resistance, and pharmacologic profiles of antibiotics. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is currently recommended as the empiric treatment in those requiring antimicrobial therapy. Isolation of the causative agents should be considered in those who failed the initial treatment. In addition to antibiotics, adjuvant therapies and surgery may be used in the management of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.

Clinical Aspects of Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

Respiratory tract infections are among the most common illnesses leading to medical consultation, and are associated with significant mortality. Community-acquired pneumonia is a common illness and, while Streptococcus pneumoniae continues to be the most frequent causative agent, atypical pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella species are now identified as additional common aetiological agents. Since clinical and roentgenographic features poorly predict the aetiological agent in most cases of community-acquired pneumonia, empirical therapy is generally recommended. Nosocomial pneumonia is the second most common hospital-acquired infection and is associated with significant mortality. Aerobic Gram-negative bacilli and Staphylococcus aureus are the predominant causative pathogens. New techniques to improve the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia have been introduced, but their role has not been entirely clarified. Therapy directed toward the most likely pathogens (aerobic Gram-negative species and S. aureus) on an empirical basis is recommended until more specific information is obtained. Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis should be treated with antimicrobial therapy directed toward S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae or Moraxella catarrhalis. Because of the emergence of β-lactamase-producing strains of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis, the choice of an antimicrobial agent has to be carefully considered. Group A β-haemolytic streptococci are the most common cause of bacterial pharyngitis and penicillin remains the drug of choice. Patients suffering from otitis media and sinusitis are infected with the same organisms as those patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and antibacterial choices are therefore similar.

IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis in Children and Adults

Evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and initial management of suspected acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in adults and children were prepared by a multidisciplinary expert panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America comprising clinicians and investigators representing internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, otolaryngology, public health, epidemiology, and adult and pediatric infectious disease specialties. Recommendations for diagnosis, laboratory investigation, and empiric antimicrobial and adjunctive therapy were developed.

Staphylococcus aureus: is it a pathogen of acute bacterial sinusitis in children and adults?

Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis are the etiologic agents of acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS). Staphylococcus aureus has been an uncommon cause of ABS despite its frequent occupancy within the anterior nares. A quantitative culture of a maxillary sinus aspirate is the gold standard for determining etiology of ABS. Cultures of the middle meatus cannot be used as a surrogate for a maxillary sinus aspirate in children with ABS, although they may be used in adults if interpretation is confined to usual sinus pathogens. Recent studies highlighting S. aureus as a major pathogen in ABS should be interpreted cautiously. Most isolates in recent pediatric studies were derived from cultures of the middle meatus. The range of reported results for the incidence of S. aureus as a cause of ABS in adults is similar to the results reported for staphylococcal colonization of the middle meatus in healthy adults.

Anaerobic bacteria in upper respiratory tract and head and neck infections: microbiology and treatment

Anaerobes are the predominant components of oropharyngeal mucous membranes bacterial flora, and are therefore a common cause of bacterial infections of endogenous origin of upper respiratory tract and head and neck. This review summarizes the aerobic and anaerobic microbiology and antimicrobials therapy of these infections. These include acute and chronic otitis media, mastoiditis and sinusitis, pharyngo-tonsillitis, peritonsillar, retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses, suppurative thyroiditis, cervical lymphadenitis, parotitis, siliadenitis, and deep neck infections including Lemierre Syndrome. The recovery from these infections depends on prompt and proper medical and when indicated also surgical management.

Microbiology of Acute and Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis in Smokers and Nonsmokers

Objectives:

We evaluated the microbiology of sinus aspirates of smokers and nonsmokers with acute and chronic maxillary sinusitis.

Methods:

Cultures were obtained from 458 patients, 244 (87 smokers and 157 nonsmokers) of whom had acute maxillary sinusitis and 214 (84 smokers and 130 nonsmokers) of whom had chronic maxillary sinusitis, between 2001 and 2007.

Results:

A greater number of Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA), and beta-lactamase–producing bacteria (BLPB) were found in the 87 smokers with acute sinusitis than in the nonsmokers with acute sinusitis (p < 0.005, p < 0.025, and p < 0.05, respectively). A greater number of these organisms were found in the 84 smokers with chronic sinusitis than in the nonsmokers (p < 0.01, p < 0.025, and p < 0.001, respectively). Eighty-five BLPB isolates were recovered from 73 patients (30%) with acute sinusitis. These included Moraxella catarrhalis, S aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Prevotella spp, and Fusobacterium spp; 40 BLPB isolates were found in smokers, and 45 in nonsmokers (p < 0.05). One hundred twenty-five BLPB isolates were recovered from 91 patients (43%) with chronic sinusitis, including M catarrhalis, Bacteroides fragilis group, S aureus, H influenzae, Prevotella spp. and Fusobacterium spp; 69 BLPB isolates were found in smokers, and 56 in nonsmokers (p < 0.001). Antimicrobial therapy had been administered in the past month to 130 patients (28%; 60 smokers and 70 nonsmokers; p < 0.025). Both MRSA and BLPB were isolated more often from these individuals (p < 0.025). However, the higher isolation rates of MRSA and BLPB in smokers were independent of previous antimicrobial therapy.

Conclusions:

These data illustrate a greater frequency of isolation of S aureus, MRSA, and BLPB in patients with acute and chronic sinusitis who smoke.

Canadian clinical practice guidelines for acute and chronic rhinosinusitis

This document provides healthcare practitioners with information regarding the management of acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) to enable them to better meet the needs of this patient population. These guidelines describe controversies in the management of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) and include recommendations that take into account changes in the bacteriologic landscape. Recent guidelines in ABRS have been released by American and European groups as recently as 2007, but these are either limited in their coverage of the subject of CRS, do not follow an evidence-based strategy, or omit relevant stakeholders in guidelines development, and do not address the particulars of the Canadian healthcare environment.

Advances in understanding the pathophysiology of CRS, along with the development of appropriate therapeutic strategies, have improved outcomes for patients with CRS. CRS now affects large numbers of patients globally and primary care practitioners are confronted by this disease on a daily basis. Although initially considered a chronic bacterial infection, CRS is now recognized as having multiple distinct components (eg, infection, inflammation), which have led to changes in therapeutic approaches (eg, increased use of corticosteroids). The role of bacteria in the persistence of chronic infections, and the roles of surgical and medical management are evolving. Although evidence is limited, guidance for managing patients with CRS would help practitioners less experienced in this area offer rational care. It is no longer reasonable to manage CRS as a prolonged version of ARS, but rather, specific therapeutic strategies adapted to pathogenesis must be developed and diffused.

Guidelines must take into account all available evidence and incorporate these in an unbiased fashion into management recommendations based on the quality of evidence, therapeutic benefit, and risks incurred. This document is focused on readability rather than completeness, yet covers relevant information, offers summaries of areas where considerable evidence exists, and provides recommendations with an assessment of strength of the evidence base and degree of endorsement by the multidisciplinary expert group preparing the document.

These guidelines have been copublished in both Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology and the Journal of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

The human rhinovirus: human-pathological impact, mechanisms of antirhinoviral agents, and strategies for their discovery

As the major etiological agent of the common cold, human rhinoviruses (HRV) cause millions of lost working and school days annually. Moreover, clinical studies proved an association between harmless upper respiratory tract infections and more severe diseases e.g. sinusitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Both the medicinal and socio-economic impact of HRV infections and the lack of antiviral drugs substantiate the need for intensive antiviral research. A common structural feature of the approximately 100 HRV serotypes is the icosahedrally shaped capsid formed by 60 identical copies of viral capsid proteins VP1-4. The capsid protects the single-stranded, positive sense RNA genome of about 7,400 bases in length. Both structural as well as nonstructural proteins produced during the viral life cycle have been identified as potential targets for blocking viral replication at the step of attachment, entry, uncoating, RNA and protein synthesis by synthetic or natural compounds. Moreover, interferon and phytoceuticals were shown to protect host cells. Most of the known inhibitors of HRV replication were discovered as a result of empirical or semi-empirical screening in cell culture. Structure-activity relationship studies are used for hit optimization and lead structure discovery. The increasing structural insight and molecular understanding of viral proteins on the one hand and the advent of innovative computer-assisted technologies on the other hand have facilitated a rationalized access for the discovery of small chemical entities with antirhinoviral (anti-HRV) activity. This review will (i) summarize existing structural knowledge about HRV, (ii) focus on mechanisms of anti-HRV agents from synthetic and natural origin, and (iii) demonstrate strategies for efficient lead structure discovery.

Seasonal and pandemic human influenza viruses attach better to human upper respiratory tract epithelium than avian influenza viruses

Influenza viruses vary markedly in their efficiency of human-to-human transmission. This variation has been speculated to be determined in part by the tropism of influenza virus for the human upper respiratory tract. To study this tropism, we determined the pattern of virus attachment by virus histochemistry of three human and three avian influenza viruses in human nasal septum, conchae, nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses, and larynx. We found that the human influenza viruses-two seasonal influenza viruses and pandemic H1N1 virus-attached abundantly to ciliated epithelial cells and goblet cells throughout the upper respiratory tract. In contrast, the avian influenza viruses, including the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, attached only rarely to epithelial cells or goblet cells. Both human and avian viruses attached occasionally to cells of the submucosal glands. The pattern of virus attachment was similar among the different sites of the human upper respiratory tract for each virus tested. We conclude that influenza viruses that are transmitted efficiently among humans attach abundantly to human upper respiratory tract, whereas inefficiently transmitted influenza viruses attach rarely. These results suggest that the ability of an influenza virus to attach to human upper respiratory tract is a critical factor for efficient transmission in the human population.