Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by persistent sinonasal inflammation and sinus microbiome dysbiosis. The basis of this heterogeneity is poorly understood. We sought to address the hypothesis that a limited number of compositionally distinct pathogenic bacterial microbiota exist in CRS patients and invoke discrete immune responses and clinical phenotypes in CRS patients. Results: Sinus brushings from patients with CRS (n = 59) and healthy individuals (n = 10) collected during endoscopic sinus surgery were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, predicted metagenomics, and RNA profiling of the mucosal immune response. We show that CRS patients cluster into distinct sub-groups (DSI-III), each defined by specific pattern of bacterial co-colonization (permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA); p = 0.001, r(2) = 0.318). Each sub-group was typically dominated by a pathogenic family: Streptococcaceae (DSI), Pseudomonadaceae (DSII), Corynebacteriaceae [DSIII(a)], or Staphylococcaceae [DSIII(b)]. Each pathogenic microbiota was predicted to be functionally distinct (PERMANOVA; p = 0.005, r(2) = 0.217) and encode uniquely enriched gene pathways including ansamycin biosynthesis (DSI), tryptophan metabolism (DSII), two-component response [DSIII(b)], and the PPAR-gamma signaling pathway [DSIII(a)]. Each is also associated with significantly distinct host immune responses; DSI, II, and III(b) invoked a variety of pro-inflammatory, T(H)1 responses, while DSIII(a), which exhibited significantly increased incidence of nasal polyps (Fisher's exact; p = 0.034, relative risk = 2.16), primarily induced IL-5 expression (Kruskal Wallis; q = 0.045). Conclusions: A large proportion of CRS patient heterogeneity may be explained by the composition of their sinus bacterial microbiota and related host immune response-features which may inform strategies for tailored therapy in this patient population.

Rinossinusite crônica (RSC), com ou sem pólipo nasal é uma inflamação crônica da mucosa nasal e seios paranasais, cujo tratamento muitas vezes pode ser a cirurgia. Vários vírus respiratórios são detectados em biópsias de pólipo nasal, concha média e mucosa do seio maxilar de pacientes com a doença, mas seu papel no desencadeamento dessa inflamação não é claro. O Objetivo do presente estudo teve como objetivo localizar e caracterizar in situ sítios de infecção por rinovírus (HRV), metapneumovírus (HMPV) e vírus sincicial respiratório (HRSV), detectar se há replicação dos mesmos, caracterizar as células, em tecidos de pólipo nasal, concha média e mucosa do seio maxilar removidas cirurgicamente de pacientes com rinossinusite crônica. Tecidos de 17 pacientes positivos por qPCR foram utilizados para identificar a localização e caracterização dos sítios de infecção, além de avaliar a atividade replicativa, onde proteínas de capsídeo viral foram detectadas por imunohistoquimica (IHQ). Para identificação das células infectadas pelos vírus estudados, foi realizada a técnica de SIMPLE. Os resultados revelaram positividade em 7 de 11 amostras positivas para HRV analisadas por PCR em tempo real, sendo encontrada a proteína viral em 5 amostras de pólipo nasal, uma amostras da mucosa do seio maxilar e uma em concha média. Cinco amostras tiveram seu genoma detectado no PCR em tempo real para HMPV, sendo que 3 delas tiveram marcação da proteína por IHQ, uma amostra positiva em cada tecido estudado. Em um total de 4 amostras, houve detecção da proteína F de HRSV em 3 delas, sendo 2 em pólipo nasal e uma concha média. Em todas as reações de IHQ foram incluídos controles positivos e negativos adequados. Depois da detecção das proteínas desses vírus respiratórios, as amostras tiveram seus fenótipos testados, células produtoras de muco e epiteliais ciliadas, mastócitos, células dendríticas, eosinófilos e linfócitos através da técnica SIMPLE. Foi demonstrado que há evidência de replicação de rinovírus, metapneumovírus e vírus sincicial respiratório no epitélio e no estroma tecidual de pólipo nasal, concha média e mucosa do seio maxilar. Foram detectadas células CD4+ e CD123+ infectadas por HRSV, evidenciadas pela marcação da proteína estrutural viral F. Adicionalmente, observamos células CD4+, CD14+ e CD20+, além de células residentes em glândulas produtoras de muco, infectadas com HRV utilizando anticorpo anti-VP1 viral. Para HMPV a infecção se limitou ao epitélio superficial dos tecidos e glândulas produtoras de muco. Esses dados revelam uma possível persistência de HRV, HRSV e HMPV em tecidos de pacientes com rinossinusite crônica, que podem assim serem reservatórios de vírus na ausência de sintomas de infecção aguda. / Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with or without nasal polyp is a chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses, whose treatment can often be surgery. Several respiratory viruses are detected in biopsies of nasal polyp, middle shell and maxillary sinus mucosa of patients with the disease, but their role in triggering this inflammation is unclear. The objective of the present study was to locate and characterize in situ sites of infection by rhinovirus (HRV), metapneumovirus (HMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), to detect if there is replication of the same, to characterize the cells in nasal polyp tissues , middle shell and maxillary sinus mucosa surgically removed from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Tissues from 17 patients positive for qPCR were used to identify the location and characterization of infection sites, and to evaluate the replicative activity, where viral capsid proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). To identify the cells infected by the viruses studied, the SIMPLE technique was performed. The results revealed positivity in 7 of 11 HRV positive samples analyzed by real-time PCR. Viral protein was found in 5 nasal polyp samples, one in the maxillary sinus mucosa and one in the middle shell. Five samples had their genome detected in the realtime PCR for HMPV, 3 of them had protein marking by IHC, a positive sample in each tissue studied. In a total of 4 samples, HRSV F protein was detected in 3 of them, 2 in nasal polyp and 1 medium concha. All positive and negative controls were included in all IHC reactions. After the detection of the proteins of these respiratory viruses, the samples had their tested phenotypes, mucus-producing cells and ciliated epithelial cells, mast cells, dendritic cells, eosinophils and lymphocytes through the SIMPLE technique. It has been demonstrated that there is evidence of rhinovirus, metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus replication in the epithelium and in the tissue stroma of the nasal polyp, middle concha and maxillary sinus mucosa. CD4 +, CD14 + and CD20 + cells were detected, as well as cells residing in mucus-producing glands, infected with HRV using anti-viral VP1 antibody. For HMPV the infection was limited to the superficial epithelium of the tissues and mucus producing glands. These data reveal a possible persistence of HRV, HRSV and HMPV in tissues of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, who may thus be virus reservoirs in the absence of symptoms of acute infection.

Introdução: Várias controvérsias e diversos questionamentos existem sobre a fisiopatogenia e o melhor tratamento para a doença Rinossinusite Crônica (RSC). Alguns estudos apontam que a dosagem de Óxido Nítrico (ON) do ar expirado pelas narinas pode contribuir no diagnóstico e seguimento desta afecção. Objetivos: Determinar se há diferença na dosagem de ON expirado pelas narinas de pacientes com RSC e indivíduos sem RSC e estabelecer correlação entre os achados clínicos, exames complementares e a quantidade de ON encontrada nos pacientes. Casuística e Método: Estudo retrospectivo com 104 pacientes com RSC e 35 indivíduos sem RSC, atendidos no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, entre os anos de 2013 e 2016. Foram realizadas dosagens de ON do ar expirado pelas narinas dos pacientes e controles. Posteriormente, realizou-se correlação entre os achados clínicos e exames complementares dos pacientes e a quantidade de ON obtida. Resultados: As dosagens de ON nos pacientes com RSC foram significativamente menores em relação aos controles. Também se observou relação entre dosagem de ON e intensidade de sintomas, queixas clínicas, achados endoscópicos e tomográficos, e o número de seios acometidos, quando realizada a cirurgia. Conclusão: Diante dos resultados obtidos, o que mais chama atenção é a possibilidade de avaliação dos pacientes portadores de RSC com ou sem pólipo nasal por um método aqui padronizado, de fácil manuseio pelos técnicos e pacientes, de baixo custo, não invasivo e que permite também comparar resultados antes e após o tratamento. / Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a disease of the upper respiratory tract with great questions regarding its clinical management. Nitric Oxide (NO) dosing by the air expiratory by the nostrils, can contribute to the diagnosis and follow-up of this affection. Objectives: To determine if there is a difference in the NO expiratory dose in the nostrils of people with CRS and people who do not have CRS, and to establish a clinical correlation between the findings and the amount of NO found in the patients. Casuistic and Method: Retrospective study conducted in 104 patients with CRS and 35 individuals without CRS at Hospital of Clínics of Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo. Between the years of 2013 and 2016. NO dosages were performed by expiratory air from the nostrils of people with and without CRS, and, later an analysis of the clinical findings of the patients with the amount of NO obtained was performed. Results: The NO dosages of patients with CRS were significantly lower in relation to those without CRS. We also found a relationship between the NO dosage, and the intensity of the symptoms, clinical complaints, endoscopic and tomographic findings, and the number of sinuses involved in the surgery. Conclusions: In view of the results obtained, what is most striking is the possibility of evaluating patients with CRS with or without PN, using a low-cost, noninvasive method that is easy to handle by technicians and patients. before and after treatment.

Abstract: The role of bacterial biofilms in patients with persistent CRS is of growing concern. The limited efficacy of some medical and surgical treatments for CRS illustrates the need for further progress in this area. The current treatments of chronic rhinosinusitis are concentrated on medical +/- surgical therapy. In this thesis, we consider two methods performed in chronic rhinosinusitis, endoscopic sinus surgery and long term low-dose macrolide therapy, and consider how they can affect bacterial biofilms. The effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on bacterial biofilms and the clinical impact of this condition on CRS patients may be far more profound than we can currently understand. To understand the impact of ESS on bacterial biofilms, we have performed the first prospective study to evaluate the effect of ESS on bacterial biofilms in patients with CRS and patients’ clinical outcomes after 3 months follow-up. We have shown that ESS results in a statistically significant improvement in QoL, subjective and objective outcome measures. In terms of bacterial biofilms, the mean OD630nm of isolates was significantly reduced after 3 months follow-up (p=0.043). No correlations between the reduction of bacterial biofilms with any of the objective, subjective and QoL outcomes were seen in our study. Macrolides have demonstrated their anti-inflamatory effects in the treatment of diffuse panbronchiolitis, asthma, cystis fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis. In recent years, there are a number of in vitro studies supporting the anti-biofilm effects of macrolide antibiotics, especially at sub-MICs level. These have shown that macrolides alter the outer membrane, lipopolysaccharide of biomass and inhibit the expression of other bacterial virulence factors which may disrupt the adherence of bacteria to form biofilms. Long term low dose macrolide therapy, therefore, may transform bacterial biofilms from the protected organized form into the plantonic form. In this thesis, we also report the first in vivo efficacy of long term low dose macrolides on bacterial biofilms in patients with CRS. Patients receiving oral macrolide showed significant improvements in subjective, objective and QoL scores following a 12 week course. Nasal swabs were taken from CRS patients at the first visit and 3 months after macrolide therapy. Using the microtiter biofilm assay, these swabs showed a reduction in the mean OD630nm of isolates in 8/12 patients. While it is well-known that bacterial biofilms are established in CRS patients, the relationship between the improvement of clinical symptoms and the severity of bacterial biofilm is less clear.

Os modelos experimentais têm um papel importante no conhecimento dos mecanismos envolvidos na patogênese da rinossinusite crônica (RSC). Objetivos: comprovar que sem inoculação de bactérias seria possível induzir alterações histológicas crônicas nos seios maxilares de coelhos através da obstrução do óstio de drenagem dos mesmos, produzindo um modelo experimental consistente e reproduzível para RSC. Secundariamente, comparar achados inflamatórios entre duas técnicas de oclusão do óstio do seio maxilar com N-butil cianocrilato: via transmaxilar (VTM) e via teto de fossa nasal (VTFN). Métodos: estudo experimental randomizado cego em animais de laboratório realizado na Unidade de Experimentação Animal do Centro de Pesquisa do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, no qual foram sorteados dezesseis coelhos Nova Zelândia entre oclusão do seio maxilar direito VTM ou VTFN. Após 12 semanas de seguimento, os animaisforam anestesiados e sacrificados para análise histopatológica cegada da mucosa do seio maxilar. Resultados: apresentavam alterações histopatológicas compatíveis com RSC os oito (100%) seios maxilares intervindos através da técnica VTM e três (37,5%) através da técnica VTFN, com p 0,008 e 0,250, respectivamente, quando comparados lado direito com o lado controle. Comparando-se as duas técnicas de oclusão, a técnica VTM mostrou-se mais consistente em provocar alterações crônicas nas mucosas dos seios maxilares ocluídos (p 0,026). Conclusões: O modelo do presente trabalho obteve sucesso em provocar alterações histológicas compatíveis com RSC nos animais submetidos à técnica de oclusão VTM com seguimento de 12 semanas, podendo ser facilmente replicável para futuros estudos celulares na mucosa sinusal. / Experimental models have an important role in understanding the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Objectives: To demonstrate that, without the inoculation of pathogenic bacteria, it is possible to induce chronic histological changes in the maxillary sinuses of rabbits secondary to sinus ostium obstruction, producing a consistent and reproducible experimental model for CRS. Secondly, to compare inflammatory findings between two techniques of experimental occlusion of the maxillary sinus ostium with N-butyl cyanoacrylate: transmaxillary and through the roof of the nasal cavity. Methods: In a randomized, blinded, experimental study, 16 New Zealand rabbits were assigned for occlusion of the right maxillary sinus through a transmaxillary approach or through the roof of the nasal cavity. The contralateral sinus was left undisturbed to serve as a control. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the animals were anesthetized and sacrificed for blinded histopathological analysis of the maxillary sinus mucosa. Results: Histopathological changes consistent with CRS were found in eight (100%) of the maxillary sinuses approached transmaxillary and three of thoseapproached through the roof of the nasal cavity (37.5%), p 0.008 and 0.250, respectively, comparing the right to the left control sinus. Comparing the occlusion techniques, the transmaxillary approach was more consistent in causing chronic mucosal changes (p 0.026). Conclusions: The proposed model was successful in causing histological changes compatible with CRS in animals subjected to sinus occlusion with a transmaxillary approach followed-up for 12 weeks. This experimental model can be easily replicated for future cellular studies of the sinus mucosa.

Os modelos experimentais têm um papel importante no conhecimento dos mecanismos envolvidos na patogênese da rinossinusite crônica (RSC). Objetivos: comprovar que sem inoculação de bactérias seria possível induzir alterações histológicas crônicas nos seios maxilares de coelhos através da obstrução do óstio de drenagem dos mesmos, produzindo um modelo experimental consistente e reproduzível para RSC. Secundariamente, comparar achados inflamatórios entre duas técnicas de oclusão do óstio do seio maxilar com N-butil cianocrilato: via transmaxilar (VTM) e via teto de fossa nasal (VTFN). Métodos: estudo experimental randomizado cego em animais de laboratório realizado na Unidade de Experimentação Animal do Centro de Pesquisa do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, no qual foram sorteados dezesseis coelhos Nova Zelândia entre oclusão do seio maxilar direito VTM ou VTFN. Após 12 semanas de seguimento, os animaisforam anestesiados e sacrificados para análise histopatológica cegada da mucosa do seio maxilar. Resultados: apresentavam alterações histopatológicas compatíveis com RSC os oito (100%) seios maxilares intervindos através da técnica VTM e três (37,5%) através da técnica VTFN, com p 0,008 e 0,250, respectivamente, quando comparados lado direito com o lado controle. Comparando-se as duas técnicas de oclusão, a técnica VTM mostrou-se mais consistente em provocar alterações crônicas nas mucosas dos seios maxilares ocluídos (p 0,026). Conclusões: O modelo do presente trabalho obteve sucesso em provocar alterações histológicas compatíveis com RSC nos animais submetidos à técnica de oclusão VTM com seguimento de 12 semanas, podendo ser facilmente replicável para futuros estudos celulares na mucosa sinusal. / Experimental models have an important role in understanding the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Objectives: To demonstrate that, without the inoculation of pathogenic bacteria, it is possible to induce chronic histological changes in the maxillary sinuses of rabbits secondary to sinus ostium obstruction, producing a consistent and reproducible experimental model for CRS. Secondly, to compare inflammatory findings between two techniques of experimental occlusion of the maxillary sinus ostium with N-butyl cyanoacrylate: transmaxillary and through the roof of the nasal cavity. Methods: In a randomized, blinded, experimental study, 16 New Zealand rabbits were assigned for occlusion of the right maxillary sinus through a transmaxillary approach or through the roof of the nasal cavity. The contralateral sinus was left undisturbed to serve as a control. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the animals were anesthetized and sacrificed for blinded histopathological analysis of the maxillary sinus mucosa. Results: Histopathological changes consistent with CRS were found in eight (100%) of the maxillary sinuses approached transmaxillary and three of thoseapproached through the roof of the nasal cavity (37.5%), p 0.008 and 0.250, respectively, comparing the right to the left control sinus. Comparing the occlusion techniques, the transmaxillary approach was more consistent in causing chronic mucosal changes (p 0.026). Conclusions: The proposed model was successful in causing histological changes compatible with CRS in animals subjected to sinus occlusion with a transmaxillary approach followed-up for 12 weeks. This experimental model can be easily replicated for future cellular studies of the sinus mucosa.

Os modelos experimentais têm um papel importante no conhecimento dos mecanismos envolvidos na patogênese da rinossinusite crônica (RSC). Objetivos: comprovar que sem inoculação de bactérias seria possível induzir alterações histológicas crônicas nos seios maxilares de coelhos através da obstrução do óstio de drenagem dos mesmos, produzindo um modelo experimental consistente e reproduzível para RSC. Secundariamente, comparar achados inflamatórios entre duas técnicas de oclusão do óstio do seio maxilar com N-butil cianocrilato: via transmaxilar (VTM) e via teto de fossa nasal (VTFN). Métodos: estudo experimental randomizado cego em animais de laboratório realizado na Unidade de Experimentação Animal do Centro de Pesquisa do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, no qual foram sorteados dezesseis coelhos Nova Zelândia entre oclusão do seio maxilar direito VTM ou VTFN. Após 12 semanas de seguimento, os animaisforam anestesiados e sacrificados para análise histopatológica cegada da mucosa do seio maxilar. Resultados: apresentavam alterações histopatológicas compatíveis com RSC os oito (100%) seios maxilares intervindos através da técnica VTM e três (37,5%) através da técnica VTFN, com p 0,008 e 0,250, respectivamente, quando comparados lado direito com o lado controle. Comparando-se as duas técnicas de oclusão, a técnica VTM mostrou-se mais consistente em provocar alterações crônicas nas mucosas dos seios maxilares ocluídos (p 0,026). Conclusões: O modelo do presente trabalho obteve sucesso em provocar alterações histológicas compatíveis com RSC nos animais submetidos à técnica de oclusão VTM com seguimento de 12 semanas, podendo ser facilmente replicável para futuros estudos celulares na mucosa sinusal. / Experimental models have an important role in understanding the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Objectives: To demonstrate that, without the inoculation of pathogenic bacteria, it is possible to induce chronic histological changes in the maxillary sinuses of rabbits secondary to sinus ostium obstruction, producing a consistent and reproducible experimental model for CRS. Secondly, to compare inflammatory findings between two techniques of experimental occlusion of the maxillary sinus ostium with N-butyl cyanoacrylate: transmaxillary and through the roof of the nasal cavity. Methods: In a randomized, blinded, experimental study, 16 New Zealand rabbits were assigned for occlusion of the right maxillary sinus through a transmaxillary approach or through the roof of the nasal cavity. The contralateral sinus was left undisturbed to serve as a control. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the animals were anesthetized and sacrificed for blinded histopathological analysis of the maxillary sinus mucosa. Results: Histopathological changes consistent with CRS were found in eight (100%) of the maxillary sinuses approached transmaxillary and three of thoseapproached through the roof of the nasal cavity (37.5%), p 0.008 and 0.250, respectively, comparing the right to the left control sinus. Comparing the occlusion techniques, the transmaxillary approach was more consistent in causing chronic mucosal changes (p 0.026). Conclusions: The proposed model was successful in causing histological changes compatible with CRS in animals subjected to sinus occlusion with a transmaxillary approach followed-up for 12 weeks. This experimental model can be easily replicated for future cellular studies of the sinus mucosa.

Introdução: Embora a fisiopatogenia da rinossinusite crônica (RSC) ainda não esteja totalmente elucidada, em virtude da sua heterogeneidade e multifatorialidade, existe um crescente corpo de evidências apontando que as bactérias exerçam um papel significativo na gênese ou perpetuação da inflamação crônica. Uma das possíveis formas de atuação são os biofilmes bacterianos, comumente encontrados em pacientes com RSC e que estão relacionados com má evolução clínica. Ainda, existem evidências de que algumas espécies bacterianas, especialmente o Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), são capazes de invadir as células epiteliais e permanecerem viáveis em seu interior. Por fim, tem se demonstrado que pacientes RSC com pólipo nasal (RSCcPN) revelam alta associação com a presença de superantígenos estafilocócicos na mucosa respiratória, responsáveis pela estimulação acentuada de respostas inflamatórias locais. Apesar de essas diferentes formas bacterianas estarem bem descritas na RSC, não se sabe ainda com clareza como elas estão associadas nesses indivíduos. Objetivos: Avaliar a associação entre a presença de biofilmes, bactérias intracelulares e superantígenos estafilocócicos em pacientes com RSC (com e sem pólipo nasal), comparados com o grupo controle. Casuística e Métodos: Avaliou-se a prevalência de biofilmes bacterianos, bactérias intracelulares e presença de superantígenos bacterianos em indivíduos com RSCcPN, sem pólipo nasal (RSCsPN) e controles, analisando a associação de distribuição de prevalência desses diferentes grupos (teste exato de Fisher, nível de significância quando p<0,05). Os biofilmes foram definidos por características morfológicas à microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), as bactérias intracelulares foram analisadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e hibridização fluorescente in situ (FISH) para S. aureus, e superantígenos de S. aureus A-E foram quantificados pela técnica de ELISA (Enzime Linked Imunosorbent Assay). Foram incluídos 90 indivíduos, divididos em três grupos: 1) 38 pacientes com RSCcPN, 2) 26 com RSCsPN e 3) 26 controles. Resultados: Quarenta e dois por cento dos pacientes com RSCcPN (16/38), assim como os com RSCsPN (11/26) apresentaram amostras positivas para biofilmes bacterianos, mas não observou essa positividade no grupo controle (0/26). A análise para bactérias intracelulares demonstrou a presença em 31,5% de pacientes com RSCcPN (12/38), 19,2% em RSCsPN (5/26) e 0% nos controles (0/26). No estudo por FISH, 58% dos pacientes com RSCcPN (18/31) apresentaram positividade para S. aureus intracelular, seguido de 54% nos com RSCsPN (13/24) e em nenhum caso dos 24 analisados do grupo controle. Na avaliação por ELISA, apenas um paciente com RSCcPN foi positivo para a presença de superantígenos estafilocócicos. A avaliação da associação de biofilme bacteriano na superfície mucosa à MEV com bactéria intracelular à MET e com S. aureus intracelular por FISH nos dois diferentes grupos de RSC com e sem pólipo nasal, não mostrou diferença estatisticamente significativa. Conclusão: Foi observada uma maior prevalêcia de biofilmes e bactérias intracelulares em indivíduos com RSC com ou sem pólipo nasal, comparado a Resumo controles. Não houve diferença significativa dentre os grupos de RSC, com e sem pólipo nasal para a presença de biofilmes e bactérias intracelulares. Não houve associação entre a presença de biofilme e bactéria intracelular em pacientes com RSC. Os achados do presente estudo indicam que tanto biofilmes na superfície mucosa quanto microrganismos intracelulares podem estar envolvidos na fisiopatogenia da RSC. / Introduction: Although the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has not yet been fully elucidated, due to its heterogeneity and multifactorial etiology, there is a growing body of evidence that bacteria play a significant role in the genesis or perpetuation of chronic inflammation. One of the possible forms of acting are bacterial biofilms, which are commonly found in patients with CRS, and are associated with poor clinical outcomes in these patients. In addition to biofilms, there are some evidence pointing out that some bacterial species, especially Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), are able to invade into epithelial cells and remain viable intracellulary. Finally, it has been demonstrated that patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) have a high association with the presence of staphylococcal superantigens in the respiratory mucosa, responsible for the stimulation of marked local inflammatory responses. Although these different bacterial forms are well described in CRS, it is still unclear how they are associated in these individuals. Objectives: To evaluate the correlation between the presence of biofilms, intracellular bacteria expression and S. aureus superantigens in CRS patients (with and without nasal polyposis) compared to a control group. Casuistic and Methods: We evaluated the prevalence of bacterial biofilms, intracellular bacteria and the presence of bacterial superantigens in individuals with CRSwNP, without nasal polyp (CRSsNP) and controls, evaluating the association of prevalence distribution of these different groups (Fisher exact test, level of significance set at p<0.05). The biofilms were defined by morphological characteristics by scanning electron microscopy, intracellular bacteria were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for S. aureus, and S. aureus A-E superantigens were quantified by ELISA. Ninety individuals were included, divided into 38 patients with CRSwNP, 26 patients with CRSsNP and 26 control patients. Results: 42% of patients with CRSwNP (16/38) as well as those with CRSsNP (11/26) presented positive samples for bacterial biofilms, while none of the control patients (0/26) had positive samples. The analysis for intracellular bacteria showed the presence in 31.5% of patients with CRSwNP (12/38), 19.2% in CRSsNP (5/26) and 0% in control patients (0/26). In the FISH study, 58% of patients with CRSwNP (18/31) presented intracellular S. aureus positivity, followed by 54% in patients with CRSsNP (13/24) and in none of the 24 analyzed in the control group. In the ELISA evaluation, only one patient with CRSwNP was positive for the presence of staphylococcal superantigens. The evaluation of the association of bacterial biofilm on the mucosal surface (SEM) with intracellular bacteria (MET) and with intracellular S. aureus by FISH in the two different groups of CRS (with and without nasal polyps) did not show a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: We found a higher prevalence of biofilms and intracellular bacteria in individuals with CRS, either with and without nasal polyps. There was no significant difference between the groups of CRS, with and without nasal polyp, for the presence of biofilms or intracellular bacteria. There was no significant diference on the association of biofilms and intracellular bacteria on pacientes with CRS. Our data indicate that both biofilms on the mucosal surface and intracellular microorganisms may be involved in the pathophysiology of CRS.

Η ρινοκολπίτιδα οδηγεί τους ασθενείς σε συχνές ιατρικές επισκέψεις. Συντελεί σημαντικά στις δαπάνες για την υγεία, τόσο στις άμεσες λόγω ιατρικών επισκέψεων και φαρμακευτικής αγωγής, όσο και στις έμμεσες που συνδέονται με την απουσία από την εργασία, καθώς και με μια γενικότερη πτώση της παραγωγικότητας που οφείλεται σε μείωση της ποιότητας ζωής των ατόμων που πάσχουν. Η βαθύτερη κατανόηση της παθογένειας και αιτιολογίας της χρόνιας ρινοκολπίτιδας είναι απαραίτητη προκειμένου να αναπτυχθούν αποτελεσματικές θεραπείες. Το ιγμόρειο άντρο αποτελεί το συχνότερο κλινικό εντοπισμό της και χώρο εύκολα προσπελάσιμο για την μελέτη της παθογένειας των παθήσεων των παραρρινίων κόλπων. Η καταστροφή του κροσσωτού επιθήλιου ή η δυσλειτουργία των κροσσών του βλεννογόνου της μύτης και των παραρρινίων κόλπων επηρεάζουν αρνητικά την κάθαρση του βλεννοκροσσωτού επιθηλίου, η οποία αποτελεί έναν από τους μηχανισμούς που διαταράσσεται σε ρινοκολπίτιδα. Η ταχύτητα μεταφοράς του βλεννοκροσσωτού επιθηλίου (mucociliary transport velocity – MTV) που εκτιμάται με το ρινοσπινθηρογράφημα θεωρείται μια αξιόπιστη μέτρηση της κάθαρσης του βλεννοκροσσωτού επιθηλίου. Σχεδιάσαμε την παρούσα μελέτη με σκοπό τη διερεύνηση, μέσω του ρινοσπινθηρογραφήματος, της κάθαρσης του βλεννοκροσσωτού επιθηλίου σε ασθενείς με χρόνια ιγμορίτιδα που αντιμετωπίστηκαν συντηρητικά ή χειρουργικά. Επίσης μελετήσαμε την συσχέτιση της με ευρήματα από την αξονική τομογραφία καθώς και με τη βαρύτητα των συμπτωμάτων του ασθενούς. / Rhinosinusitis leads patients to frequent visits to medical doctors. It greatly contributes to healthcare expenses, directly due to medical visits and medication, as well as indirectly due to the subsequent absence from work and a productivity loss due to patients’ life quality deterioration. The deeper understanding of the cause and pathogenesis of the chronic rhinosinusitis is essential to the development of an effective treatment. The maxillary sinus is the most frequent location and it is easily accessible for the study of the pathogenesis of facial sinuses diseases. The ciliary epithelium destruction or the dysfunction of the nose mucosa’s cilia, negatively influences the mucociliary epithelium clearance, which constitutes one of the mechanisms disrupted in a rhinosinusitis. The Mucociliary Transport Velocity (MTV) which is estimated by the use of rhinoscintigraphy, is concerned a reliable measurement of the clearance of the mucociliary epithelium. We have designed the current study, in order to investigate, through the rhinoscintigraphy, the clearance of the mucociliary epithelium in patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis who were treated conservatively or surgically. Also, we studied its correlation with the CT findings, as well as with the quality of patients’ life.

A fibrose cística (FC) é uma doença genética irreversível, mas os avanços no tratamento têm aumentado a expectativa de vida dos pacientes. O acometimento das vias aéreas superiores, principalmente por alteraçõesdos seios paranasais aos exames de imagem, é prevalente nestes pacientes, embora muitos apresentem poucos sintomas. Poucos trabalhos abordam as características e o manejo das doenças nasossinusais em pacientes adultos com FC. O acometimento nasossinusal, além de ter provável influência nas exacerbações pulmonares, pode afetar negativamente a qualidade de vida.Objetivos:(1) Identificar as características e o grau de acometimento das vias aéreas superiores;(2) Estabelecer associações com as manifestações clínicas e determinar preditores na pontuação do questionário SNOT-22.Métodos: A metodologia adotada para a presenteteseconsistiu na elaboração de três artigos: (1) Artigo original de revisão sistemática sobre achados tomográficos de seios paranasais em pacientes com FC; (2) Artigo de revisão narrativa sobre diagnóstico e tratamento da rinossinusite crônica (RSC) em pacientes com FC; e (3) Artigo original de estudo transversal e prospectivo sobre manifestações nasossinusais e avaliação da qualidade de vida pelo questionário SNOT-22 em pacientes adultos com FC. A revisão da literatura fundamentou-se na busca por artigos com as evidências mais recentes sobre o assunto nos bancos de dados Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Lilacs, Scielo e Cochrane. O estudo transversal consistiu na avaliação de pacientes adultos com FC clinicamente estáveis, sendo submetidos a avaliação clínica, exames de função pulmonar, endoscopia nasal e tomografia computadorizada de seios da face. Todos os pacientes responderam o questionário SNOT-22.Resultados: A literatura relata que os achados tomográficos mais comuns nos pacientes com FC são a opacificação dos seios paranasais, a presença de hipoplasia ou aplasia dos seios frontal e esfenoidal, o subdesenvolvimento pansinusal e a medialização da parede nasal lateral. Quando sintomática, a RSC com pólipos nasais pode afetar a qualidade de vida e desencadear as exacerbações pulmonares, já que os seios paranasais podem ser colonizados por bactérias patogênicas, principalmente a Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Esta bactéria tem papel crucial na morbidade e mortalidade após o transplante pulmonar em pacientes com FC. Embora o tratamento clínico das vias aéreas superiores seja indicado no manejo inicial, a indicação é muitas vezes extrapolada de estudos sobre RSC na população geral. No estudo original da tese, uma idade média maior, idade de diagnóstico mais tardio, sintomas de rinite crônica e critérios clínicos para rinossinusite foram mais observados em pacientes com pontuação maior no SNOT-22. Na análise de regressão múltipla, houve associação positiva da idade e presença de P. aeruginosa no escarro com a pontuação no SNOT-22.Em concordância com a literatura, o estudo também revelou uma alta prevalência de alterações tomográficas, sendo a aplasia/hipoplasia do seio esfenoidal o achado mais frequente.Conclusão:Apesar dasinúmeras alterações tomográficas, os pacientes relatam pouca intensidade dos sintomas nasossinusais. A idade e a presença da P. aeruginosa foram fatores associados a maior pontuação no SNOT-22. Mais estudos são necessários para compreender melhor o acometimento das vias aéreas superiores e melhorar o manejo da RSC na FC, a fim de preservar a função pulmonar, mas evitandoa indicação de procedimentos invasivos e a exposição radiológica desnecessária. / Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an irreversible genetic disease, but advances in treatment have increased the life expectancy of patients. Involvement of upper airways, especially by pathological changes in sinus imaging, is prevalent in these patients, although few exhibit symptoms. There are few studies about characteristics and management of sinonasal diseases in adult CF patients. Sinonasal involvement may initiate pulmonary exacerbations and negatively affect quality of life. Objectives: To identify characteristics and degree of involvement of upper airways, establishing associations with clinical manifestations and determine predictors in SNOT-22 questionnaire score. Methods: The methodology adopted for this thesis included the elaboration of three articles: (1) original systematic review article aboutparanasal sinuses CT findings in CF patients; (2) narrative review article about diagnosis and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in CF patients; and (3) original article about crosssectional prospective study of sinonasal manifestations and assessment of quality of life by SNOT-22 questionnaire in adult CF patients. The literature review was based on search of articles with the latest evidence on the subject in databases Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Lilacs, Scielo and Cochrane. The cross-sectional study consisted in evaluation of adult CF patients clinically stable. They underwent clinical evaluation, pulmonary function tests, nasal endoscopy and paranasal sinuses CT scan. All patients answered SNOT-22 questionnaire. Results:Literature reports that the most common CT findings in CF patients areparanasal sinuses opacification, presence of sphenoid and frontal sinuses hypoplasia or aplasia, pansinusal underdevelopment and medial bulging oflateral nasal wall. When symptomatic, CRS with nasal polyps can affect quality of life and trigger pulmonary exacerbations. It is explained since paranasal sinuses may be colonized by pathogenic bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium plays a crucial role in morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation in CF patients. Clinical treatment of upper airways is indicated as first management, but this indication is often extrapolated from studies on CRS in general population. In the original study, a high average age, age of later diagnosis, symptoms of chronic rhinitis and clinical criteria for rhinosinusitis were more frequently observed in patients with high SNOT-22 scores. In multiple regression analysis, there was a positive association between age and the presence of P. aeruginosa in sputum with the SNOT-22 score. According to literature, this study also revealed a high prevalence of tomographic alterations.Sphenoid sinus aplasia or hypoplasia was the most common finding. Conclusion: Despite CT findings, patients report little intensity of sinonasal symptoms. Age and presence of P. aeruginosa were associated with higher SNOT-22 scores. The most important is to preserve lung function, but avoinding unnecessary invasive procedures and radiation exposure. More studies are needed to better understand the involvement of upper airways and improve management of CRS in CF.