Section: 
Rhinology issues
Rhinology issuesEffectiveness of inclusion of bacteriophages in the complex treatment of exacerbation of chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis
A. A. Krivopalov (1), N. V. Moroz (2), A. M. Korkmazov (3)
(1) Saint Petersburg Scientific Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech, Saint Petersburg, 190013, Russian Federation, (1) Mechnikov Northwestern State Medical University, Saint Petersburg, 191015, Russian Federation, (2) City Hospital of St. Elizabeth the Martyr, Saint Petersburg, 195257, Russian Federation, (3) South Ural State Medical University, Chelyabinsk, 454092, Russian Federation
UDK: УДК 616.216-002.2-022.7-085.37:576.878
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2026-3-53-62
ABSTRACT
Abstract. Conduction. Exacerbations of chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis may become refractory because of polymicrobial biofilm and antimicrobial resistance. Prospective comparative studies assessing bacteriophages in uncomplicated exacerbations remain scarce. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of a bacteriophage-containing regimen within complex therapy. Materials and methods. This single-center prospective cohort study included 109 adults. In group 1 (n = 54), the antimicrobial component was ceftriaxone 1000 mg intramuscularly once daily; in group 2 (n = 55), it was an oral polyvalent lytic bacteriophage, 20 mL three times daily. The primary endpoint was remission by day 10. Symptom severity on a visual analogue scale, objective findings, radiographic/CT parameters, cytology, and nasal secretion levels of IL-1?, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-8 were assessed. Results and discussion. The groups were comparable for most baseline characteristics; however, the antibiotic group had higher baseline objective scores (p = 0.007) and radiographic scores (p = 0.046). Time to remission did not differ (8.5±1.4 vs 8.6±1.3 days; p = 0.99). Remission rate by day 10 was achieved in 81.8% and 96.3% of patients, representing a favorable trend (p = 0.062). After treatment, IL-1? levels were lower in the bacteriophage group, whereas differences for IL-2 and IL-8 were directional only. Conclusions. The bacteriophage-containing regimen showed a promising anti-inflammatory signal and a higher remission rate, but its clinical superiority over antibiotic therapy was not conclusively proven in this cohort.
Publication date:
16.06.2026
Keywords:
chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis, bacteriophage, phage therapy, biofilm, antibiotic resistance, local immunity For citation:
Krivopalov A. A., Moroz N. V., Korkmazov A. M. Effectiveness of inclusion of bacteriophages in the complex treatment of exacerbation of chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis. Russian Otorhinolaryngology. 2026;25(3):53–62. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2026-3-53-62