Recent research work published in Science Translational Medicine concluded that “friendly bacteria” might prevent chronic sinusitis. The research highlighted that microbes found in the sinuses of healthy people and those found in the patients with chronic sinusitis are altogether different. The amount of Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum was much higher than the healthy controls in the patients. On the other hand, the amount of Lactobacillus sakei was very high in the people without sinusitis.

With the technique of comparative micro biome profiling, the research team identified bacteria species and their amount in the sinuses. The microbial community was less diverse in the patients with chronic sinusitis. C. tuberculostearicum was abundant in the patients, whereas lactic acid bacteria level was significantly low. The team concluded that Lactobacillus sakei (“friendly bacteria”) protects against chronic sinus infection caused by C. tuberculostearicum. You can read the full study here after logging in.

Have you ever imagined that your tasting abilities and dislike for some tastes may act as a key to sinus infections’ diagnosis and treatment?

According to a latest research reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, if you hate sour and bitter foods such as coffee, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, your body has a mechanism to fight against bacteria and viruses causing chronic sinus infection. The sour and bitter receptors on the taste buds not only alert about rotten and toxic foods but also identify viruses. Extremely sensitive bitter taste receptors that are also found in the sinus and nasal cavity can detect viruses.

The research divided the participants into three groups: super-tasters, non-tasters and those who are in between. Super-tasters are over sensitive to bitter and sour flavors. Non-tasters are unable to taste some bitter flavors. After analyzing cell cultures of the sinus and nasal tissues, the research team found that super-tasters are more efficient in detecting some bacteria, alerting the body and initiating an immune action. Therefore, the team suggested that bitter taste receptors detect harmful bacteria and act as guard against them. This newly found feature may help in diagnosing and treating chronic sinus infection.

The research is a collective effort of researchers from the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, the Monell Chemical Senses Center and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Read the full report.