Role of Bacterial and Fungal Biofilms in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a very common condition that remains poorly understood from a pathogenic standpoint. Recent interest has been sparked by a potential role for biofilms in this process, with a significant body of evidence implicating them in inciting sinonasal inflammation. Biofilms are clearly present on the sinus mucosa of CRS patients, and their presence there is associated with severe disease characteristics and surgical recalcitrance. We are beginning to understand the importance of the species within these biofilms, but there may be other as-yet-unidentified factors at play in influencing disease outcomes. Recent exciting research has emerged documenting the immune response to the presence of biofilms—research that will ultimately solidify the nature and extent of the contribution of biofilms in CRS pathogenesis. Future research should focus on evidence-based antibiofilm treatments with reference to efficacy and timing of treatment.