Staphylococcus lentus Sinusitis: A New Sinonasal Pathogen

Background: The pathogens most commonly associated with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis include Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, and Moraxella catarrhalis. The pathogens most commonly associated with chronic rhinosinusitis include Staphylococcus aureus and various anaerobic organisms, including Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, and Peptostreptococcus. This case report illustrates a case of chronic rhinosinusitis associated with the Staphylococcus lentus organism, a well-known animal pathogen that has never been documented in the sinonasal cavity before. Methods: The medical records of an adult patient who presented to the otolaryngology office were reviewed. The literature available was reviewed. Results: A 62-year-old man presented with chronic rhinosinusitis refractory to medical management. He was taken to the operating room for functional endoscopic sinus surgery and cultures were obtained, which returned positive for Staphylococcus lentus. He had no known animal contacts at home or work. He improved with surgery and appropriate antibiotic therapy. Conclusions: Staphylococcus lentus has never before been reported as a human pathogen in the sinonasal cavities. Otolaryngologists must routinely obtain cultures of mucus or tissue during sinus surgery in order to ensure appropriate antibiotic treatment after surgery and resolution of patient symptoms.