Microbiome of the Middle Meatus in HIV

BACKGROUND: Infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) leads to immune dysfunction with increased risk of developing varied infections including opportunistic infections. It may be that a change in the microbial community of HIV patients could be contributory to their development of rhinosinusitis. However, the normal sinonasal microbiome in HIV is yet to be thoroughly studied. OBJECTIVE: To determine the bacteria in the middle meatus of HIV infected adults without features of rhinosinusitis. METHODS: Middle meatal swab specimens were collected under endoscopic guidance from 141 HIV infected patients with no sign and symptoms of rhinosinusitis. Specimen were sent for microscopy and culture. 141 HIV negative individuals were used as controls. RESULTS: Fourty eight point nine (48.9%) of swab specimen had bacteria isolated in the patients. Thirty-nine (56.5%) specimen yielded aerobes consisting of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcocus aureus and Streptococcus; while thirty (43.5%) specimen yielded anaerobes consisting of Bacteroids and Peptostreptococcus. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequently isolated bacteria. In the control group, forty-two (29.8%) of cultures were positive for bacteria. There was statistically significant difference in the bacteria isoltes (P=0.001) CONCLUSION: Bacteria isolated were similar to those isolated from the HIV negative control however there were greater number of isolates in the subjects.