Protein Profile Identified in Blood of Chronic Sinusitis Sufferers

A protein profile identified in the blood of chronic sinusitis sufferers will help physicians to diagnose and treat the disease.

Scientists analyzed protein expression in the blood using surface enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (SELDI-TOF-MS). They found that among 96 chronic sinusitis patients that there was a protein profile missing in 38 healthy controls. The test is about 88% accurate.

"We can diagnose this disease with a totally objective test that does not depend on symptoms or observations,” said Dr. Stilianos E. Kountakis, vice chair of the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery in the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine (MCG; Augusta, GA, USA). He is corresponding author on the study published in the March/April 2008 issue of the American Journal of Rhinology.

To be classified chronic, sinusitis has to continue for at least 12 weeks. Causes include bacterial infections, respiratory inflammation, sinus polyps, and mucosal disease. Some causes, such as polyps and asthma, have a genetic predisposition. "You may have a bacterial infection, allergies, mechanical problems,” Dr. Kountakis said. "There are numerous genes that control respiratory function. Any of these things can go wrong to predispose the patient to develop chronic sinusitis.”

Diagnosing this chronically irritating disease, characterized by dripping noses, sinus pressure, congestion, and difficulty in breathing, is currently rather subjective. Patients describe their symptoms and doctors look at their sinuses with an endoscope and sometimes a computerized tomography scan. "… Overall management of [chronic sinusitis] is still hampered by the lack of quantifiable, molecular, and genetic markers to aid in screening,” the scientists wrote.


Related Links:
Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine