Immune response to Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia in patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis

Our objective was to study the immune response to 2 anaerobic bacteria in p atients with chronic maxillary sinusitis. Immunoglobulin G class antibody t iters to Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum levels in the patients were deter mined on the day sinus aspiration for culture was done, and 75 to 90 days l ater, after completion of antimicrobial therapy, Prevotella intermedia was isolated from 16 aspirates, and F nucleatum from 12. Median antibody levels at day 1 for F nucleatum and P intermedia were significantly higher in pat ients whose serum aspirates harbored these organisms than at days 75 to 90 in those who were cured (p <.05). However, the levels stayed elevated in th e 5 patients who did not improve. The elevated antibody levels to F nucleat um and P intermedia, known oral pathogens, suggest a potential pathogenic r ole for these organisms in chronic maxillary sinusitis.