Sinonasal microbiome

The sinonasal microbiome refers to the complex ecological community of commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic microorganisms inhabiting the human nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. This microbiome serves as a primary biological barrier, protecting the host from respiratory pathogens through competitive exclusion and the modulation of local mucosal immunity and mucociliary clearance. Research indicates that a healthy sinonasal environment is typically characterized by high microbial diversity and a prevalence of commensals such as Corynebacterium and Dolosigranulum species. Dysbiosis of this microbial community is a central feature in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), where a reduction in bacterial diversity often correlates with the proliferation of opportunistic pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Therapeutic interventions targeting the sinonasal microbiome range from traditional systemic and topical antibiotics, which aim to eliminate pathogenic bacteria, to emerging ecological approaches like topical probiotics and microbiome transplants designed to restore a stable, healthy microbial state. Although not a single molecular target, the sinonasal microbiome represents a critical therapeutic niche for managing chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases of the upper airway.

Other names

Nasal microbiotaParanasal sinus microbiomeSinonasal microbiotaUpper respiratory tract microbiome

Modulation of microbial community structure through antimicrobial eradication, competitive inhibition by commensal species, or physical clearance of biofilms and mucus.