Detection of Helicobacter pylori in nasal and maxillary sinus specimens from patients with chronic sinusitis

Objectives: In patients with chronic sinusitis, the colonization of nasal and maxillary sinus tissues by Helicobacter pylori (HP) was investigated using polymerase chain reaction, urease test (CLO test), culture, and immunohistochemical analysis. Study Design: A prospective clinical study. Methods: The subjects were 11 patients aged 20 to 72 years with chronic sinusitis who had undergone sinus surgery under local anesthesia. In 7 of 11 patients, the HP status of the stomach was also studied. Nasal and maxillary sinus tissues were studied using polymerase chain reaction, urease test, culture, and immunohistochemical analysis. Helicobacter pylori infection of nasal and maxillary sinus tissues was defined by at least two positive results of different tests. Results: Three (16%) of 19 nasal and maxillary sinus specimens from two patients were shown to be HP-positive (positive by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis and weakly positive by the CLO test). In one of these two patients, HP infection of the stomach was confirmed. In the other, a positive findings on immunohistochemical analysis suggested HP infection of the stomach. Immunoreactive structures were seen by immunohistochemical analysis in the nasal, maxillary sinus, and gastric specimens of these two patients but were partially degraded. Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori may exist in the nasal and maxillary sinus tissue specimens of some patients with chronic sinusitis with gastric HP infection.