Microbiology of Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis in Children

Chung, Seung Won; Kang, Hee Joon; Lee, Sang Hag; Lee, Heung Man

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Problems with antibiotic susceptibility have recently been raised in the treatment of paranasal sinusitis. Therefore, well-established antimicrobial policy is needed. Samples collected in children who have sinusitis can be useful to monitor the evolution of resistance. However, relatively a little is known about the maxillary sinus flora in children with chronic sinusitis. This study aims to get a better insight into the maxillary sinus flora and its resistance.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Maxillary sinus samples were obtained through inferior meatal puncture from 120 children with history of chronic sinusitis, who have undergone adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy. Samples were sent to the laboratory for bacterial cultures and antibiotics sensitivity tests.
RESULTS
Organisms were isolated from 142 sinuses (59.0%) of 240 sinus culture, and 98 sinuses (41.0%) were sterile. Among the 142 sinuses, 97 sinuses have single strain, and 45 sinuses have mixed strains. Most recovered organisms were gram (+) aerobes. Among the gram (+) aerobes, Staphylococcus aureus strains in 41 strains (17.1%), -hemolytic Streptococcus in 42 strains (17.5%), coagulase negative Staphylococcusin 15 strains (6.3%) were the commonly encountered organism. In an antibiotic sensitivity test for gram (+) bacteria, Vancomycin and Teicoplanin showed sensitivity over 95%.
CONCLUSION
Most isolated organisms were Staphylococcus aureus and -hemolytic Streptococcus. These organisms showed increased resistance to previously used antibiotics, as compared with the result of similar study carried 18 years ago.