Topical Probiotic Sinus Irrigations for Treating Chronic Sinusitis

CRS is a common clinical entity with estimated prevalence ranging from 14-16% in the community. The most commonly implicated pathogenic bacteria in recalcitrant patients are Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the commensal sinonasal microbiome and its role in the development of a functional immune system. It has been theorized that infections in CRS may be related to a decrease in diversity of the commensal microbiome and an increase in these pathogenic bacteria. The concept behind the therapeutic potential of topical probiotics is that they outcompete pathogenic bacteria via a variety of mechanisms, including creating suboptimal environmental conditions, competing for cell surface receptors and thus limiting pathogen adherence, and producing antibacterial metabolites. In doing so, topical probiotics restore the commensal microbiome. For this study, after being informed about the study and potential risks, all patients meeting eligibility criteria and giving written informed consent will be randomized in a double blind manner (participant and investigator) in a 1:1 ratio to Lactobacillus sakei or saline nasal irrigation, twice a day for 14 days. Patient assessments will occur before treatments begin, immediately after the completion of nasal irrigations, and 6 weeks after initial enrollment. Assessments will be based on patient history, endoscopic exams, culture swab of the sinuses (bacterial burden and number of taxa, SNOT-22 survey, and a visual analog scale to record pain scores.