Induction, Course, and Recovery of Maxillary Sinusitis: A Bacteriological and Histological Study in Rabbits

Abstract

A bacteriological and histological study of acute pneumococcal sinusitis in rabbits was performed. The sinus ostium was blocked unilaterally and on the second day 108 Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 were injected into the sinus cavity. The bacteriology of the sinus secretion and the morphological alterations of the sinus mucosa was determined 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after initiation of infection. Initially a pronounced mucosal infiltration of granulocytes and lymphocytes was found. Squamous cell metaplasia as well as areas of desquamated epithelium were also evident. This heavy inflammatory reaction gradually declined and after 4 weeks the epithelium appeared more normal, although goblet cells and subepithelial thickening, both associated with a more chronic infection, were found in certain areas. After 2 weeks, the initially reisolated pneumococci were replaced by a nonfermentative Gram-negative flora as well as anaerobic bacteria.