Evidence for Microbial Biofilms in Cholesteatomas

Abstract

There is strong anatomic evidence for the presence of bacterial biofilms in experimental and human cholesteatomas. The existence of bacterial biofilms within cholesteatomas may explain the clinical characteristics of infected cholesteatomas, that is, persistence and recurrence of infection, with surgical eradication being the only effective treatment.

Metagenomics Analysis of Bacterial Population of Tympanosclerotic Plaques and Cholesteatomas

“…In addition, Clostridiales statistically predominated in cholesteatoma. Our findings were in agreement with previous studies indicating the presence of many gram-negative, gram-positive, aerobic, and anaerobic bacteria in cholesteatoma samples 24,28-32 and the presence of S aureus in tympanosclerosis. 4 In contrast to previous studies, 3,5 we could not find the genomes of Streptococcus pyogenes, H pylori , or Mycobacteria in any of the samples tested.…”

Effects of High Hydrostatic Pressure on Bacterial Growth on Human Ossicles Explanted from Cholesteatoma Patients

“…This percentage indicates the potential relevance of this factor in the present study. This finding confirms the results of another study in which biofilms formed by bacteria that are occasionally present in the middle ear cavity were detected in situ or ex vivo on the ossicles of chronically infected patients [5], [50], [51] as well as on ossicular prostheses [52]–[53].…”

Formations of Host Fibers and Bacteria in Human Temporal Bones With Otitis Media

“…Celloidin sections of these temporal bones stained with Gram - Wergert, hematoxylin - eosin, and propidium iodide showed bacterial clusters of different size. Large bacterial clusters in some temporal bones were similar to mature biofilms observed previously in animals (7,19–22) and surgical specimens of patients with OM (23–27). Bacteria and their aggregates were mostly observed in areas occupied by fibrous material and having a small number of inflammatory cells.…”