Analysis of Gut Microbiota in Individuals With Distinct Types of Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to characterize the gut microbiota compositions in individuals with distinct types of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and investigate their association with clinical, hematological, and histopathological changes.

METHODS

Fecal samples were collected from 68 patients with CRS and 33 healthy controls (HCs). The patients with CRS were classified into distinct subtypes based on the presence or absence of nasal polyps and the occurrence of eosinophilic tissue inflammation. The microbiome structures of all samples were analyzed using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Clinical, hematological, and histopathological analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Gut microbiota dysbiosis was found in individuals with distinct types of CRS. The abundances of members from the phylum Proteobacteria and its major genera (Escherichia-Shigella and Klebsiella) decreased significantly in the patients with CRS phenotypes and decreased correspondingly in the patients with CRS endotypes, compared with those in the HCs. The abundances of members from the phylum Bacteroidetes and its major genus (Bacteroides) increased significantly in the patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and increased correspondingly in the patients with CRSwNP endotypes, compared with those in the HCs and patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and its endotypes. Most of the bacteria were correlated with the clinical indicators of CRS.

CONCLUSIONS

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is characterized by the presence of unique bacterial flora in distinct types of CRS. The dysbiosis of gut microbiota was correlated with different subtypes and the severity of CRS. Our findings will provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of CRS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.