Mycoplasma pneumoniaeandChlamydophila pneumoniae: a comparative study in patients with nasal polyposis and healthy controls

Abstract

AbstractIntroduction:The role played byMycoplasma pneumoniaeandChlamydophila pneumoniaein the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps has been the object of ongoing debate. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to investigate the prevalence of both microorganisms in the nasal tissue samples of patients and controls.Methods:We extracted DNA from nasal polyp samples obtained during functional endoscopic sinus surgery and the inferior turbinate samples of controls undergoing septoplasty. We used the highly sensitive real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the presence ofM pneumoniaeandC pneumoniaeDNA.Results:Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps consisted of 62 individuals (39 men; mean age 51 years); the control group consisted of 24 individuals (13 men; mean age 45 years). All samples from both groups were negative forM pneumoniaeandC pneumoniaeDNA.Conclusion:We have demonstrated that the likelihood ofM pneumoniaeandC pneumoniaeacting as an ongoing inflammatory stimulus in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is slim.