Abstract
Objective: To study if there are biofilm formations in the nasopharyngeal tissues from NPC patients who were diagnosed as having skull base osteoradionecrosis (ORN).
Method: We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the presence of biofilm formations in NPC patients with and without ORN between 1980 to 2011. The specimens obtained were processed and analyzed with FilmTracer LIVE_DEAD Biofilm Viability Kit and fluorescent microscope. The investigator examining the sample was blinded to the disease state.
Results: Eleven of 15 (73%) NPC with ORN patients demonstrated biofilm formations in their nasopharynbiopsied specimens. Five of them yielded positive cultured results which made the culture rate 45%. Among the culture results, 4 patients showed MRSA infections and 1 patient showed streptococcus viridins. Two patients with MRSA infections had concomitant Escherichia coli and candida infections, respectively. The other 4 NPC with ORN patients without biofilms detected showed negative in culture. In NPC patients without ORN, 1 of the 12 (8%) patients presented the biofilm formation. The culture results were all negative.
Conclusion: Although the role of biofilm in skull base ORN of NPC remains unclear, this article presents further evidence of their existence in this condition. Their presence not only implicate them in the pathogenesis of ORN, but might partly explain its chronicity and its resistance to antibiotic treatment.
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