Publication:

Nasal flora in allergic rhinitis

Background Allergic rhinitis is a common cause for recurrent rhinosinusitis. The microbiology in allergic nasal mucosa has not been much documented. The aim of the study is to identify the microbes in the middle meatus in patients with allergic rhinitis and to compare with the normal nasal flora.

Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in our institute to study the nasal microbial pattern in 50 patients with allergic rhinitis and was compared with 50 normal healthy nasal flora. Nasal swabs were taken from middle meatus under endoscopic guidance in both the groups and sent for microbial analysis.

Results Organisms like Klebsiella, E.coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were predominant isolates in patients with allergic rhinitis, whereas Staph epidermidis were predominant in controls.

Conclusions This alteration in microbial flora could possibly explain recurrent sinonasal infections in patients with allergic rhinitis.