Incidence of staphylococcal colonization and of the 753Q Toll-like receptor 2 variant in nasal polyposis

Background: The impact of Staphylococcus aureus on the development of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (nasal polyposis [NP]) is a controversial discussion because different S. aureus colonization rates have been reported. Aside from the presence of a microbial stimulus, elements of innate immunity such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and/or impaired TLR function could be relevant for the development of this disease. Because the 753Q TLR2 variant may predispose to staphylococcal infection, we simultaneously analyzed staphylococcal colonization and the R753Q TLR2 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in NP. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with NP (47 men and 21 women; mean age [+/- SD], 51.8 years [16.3]) and 51 controls (32 men and 19 women; mean age [+/- SD], 36.3 years [12.2]) were included. Patient characteristics studied included status of allergy, asthma, aspirin intolerance, and endoscopic and CT polyp score. For detection of bacteria, standard procedures of bacteriology and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used. The R753Q TLR2 polymorphism was studied by allelic discrimination assay. Results: Overall, 128 isolates were cultured from 68 NP specimens, with Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus being the most frequent bacterial isolates. Other bacterial species were infrequently detected. Fifty-nine isolates were cultured from 51 controls. Similarly, S. epidermidis and S. aureus were the most frequent bacterial isolates. S. aureus colonization was significantly increased in NP (p < 0.05). However, SNP genotyping results showed no association of the 753Q TLR2 variant with NP. Conclusion: Although S. aureus detection was increased in NP, nasal polyp pathology is not related to the 753Q TLR2 variant. (Am J Rhinol Allergy 24, e10-e13, 2010; doi: 10.2500/ajra.2010.24.3416)