Genetics of sinus infections

Chronic sinus inflammation affects 10-15% of adults in the United States. Sinuses are open pockets in your skull around the eyes and behind the nose. When these become blocked, or too much mucus builds up, it can cause swelling. This is a sinus infection. Other symptoms include headaches, runny nose, or a cough. Allergies, asthma, germs, smoking, and second hand smoke can all cause sinus infections. Genes may also play a part. If a sinus infection lasts longer than a couple of weeks, it is chronic, or long term. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease of the lungs and digestive system. Cells in these tissues make mucus, sweat, and digestive juices. In CF, these cells do not work right. These cells usually make thin fluids. In CF, a gene change causes the cells to make fluids that are thick and sticky. So, instead of acting like oil, the fluids plug things up. A common side effect of CF is sinus infections. Scientists have found gene changes linked to CF. Vanderbilt scientists think some of these gene changes may link to sinus infections. They will use BioVU to look for people that have CF. Then they will figure out how many also have chronic sinus infections. They will check if certain gene changes are only found in people with infections. They will repeat this same study in people who do not have CF. They will compare gene changes in people with chronic sinus infections to healthy people. This study could help us learn more about chronic sinus infections. It could also help us better treat them.