ADENOVIRUS AND RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS IN CHRONIC SINUSITIS USINGPOLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of adenovirus and res piratory syncytial virus (RSV) in chronic sinusitis using the polymera se chain reaction (PCR) to assay for the viruses. PCR has proved to be more sensitive and specific than viral cultures and immunoassays in t he detection of viruses, Adenovirus and RSV are among the most common viruses to cause upper respiratory tract infections. Sinus mucosa biop sies from 20 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were sterile ly collected. Four specimens (20%) tested positive for RSV by PCR and none tested positive for adenovirus. Only one specimen tested positive for RSV and one for adenovirus by viral culture and immunofluorescenc e. Bacterial cultures tested positive in 40% of the 20 specimens. PCR can be used to detect RSV in patients with chronic sinusitis and PCR i s more sensitive than viral culture and immunofluorescence techniques on sinus polyps and mucosa.