Prevalence of Rhinovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Among Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common chronic illnesses, but the etiology and pathogenesis of CRS are not well understood. Few studies have been carried out on the role of viruses in patients with chronic sinusitis so far. OBJECTIVES: Regarding the high number of patients, we intended to evaluate the prevalence of rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus in patients with CRS. Doing so, we may pave the way for definitely achieving the causes and factors of the disease and consequently definite treatment of this debilitating disease in future studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 76 patients. Sample of the study consisted of patients with CRS who were candidates for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The specimens were collected during FESS between February 2013 and December 2013. For this purpose, after entering into sinuses, the specimens were collected from their mucus. They were then placed in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's viral transport medium (DMEM). They were transferred to the virology lab of the university in a cold chain. The specimens were maintained in -70°C before examination. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to explore the presence of rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. RESULTS: In this study, 76 patients with rhinosinusitis underwent FESS as qualified candidates. The sample of the study consisted of 48 males (63.2%) and 28 females (36.8%) with the mean age of 44.3 years and an age range of 19-76 years. Among the 76 patients, 53 were with polyps and 23 without polyps. Among the patients, 66 were candidates of FESS for the first time. Other 11 patients had previously undergone the surgery. The results from PCR indicated that 22 (28.94%) patients had rhinovirus and 9 (11.84%) had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A total of 25 patients (32.89%) had one of the two viruses. In 6 (7.89%) specimens, both viruses were reported. CONCLUSIONS: CRS is a common disease with negative effects on the quality of patients’ lives. This study showed the high prevalence of these two common respiratory viruses in patients with CRS.