Intranasal Helicobacter pylori colonization does not correlate with the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in the nasal cavity of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and to correlate it with the severity of CRS. Study Design and Setting Intranasal HP was investigated using rapid urease (CLO) testing and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and confirmed with transmission electron microscopy. To evaluate the severity of sinusitis, CT scans were graded according to the Lund-MacKay scoring system, and CRS symptom scores were recorded. Results Twelve of 48 patients (25.0%) were positive, but only 1 of 29 (3.4%) controls was positive for both CLO testing and IHC analysis ( P = 0.025). The mean preoperative CT grade ( P = 0.439) and symptom scores ( P = 0.515) were not related to the severity of CRS. Conclusions Intranasal HP was more prevalent in patients with CRS than healthy controls. However, there was no significant correlation observed between the severity of sinusitis and intranasal HP colonization. Significance HP has a limited role in pathogenesis of CRS.