Tonsillitis is a common disease of childhood and adolescence. The diagnosis of tonsillitis generally requires the consideration of Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) infection. However, numerous other bacteria alone or in combinations, viruses and other infections and non-infectious causes should be considered. Recognition of the cause and choice of appropriate therapy are of utmost importance in assuring rapid recovery and preventing complications.

Penicillin is currently the first-choice treatment for GABHS pharyngotonsillitis. However, the growing failure of penicillin to eradicate GABHS is of concern. This website discusses the potential causes of penicillin failure ( i.e. the presence of beta-lactamse producing bacteria that can “protect” GABHS from penicillins) and methods to overcome them. It also discusses the role of anaerobic bacteria in tonsillitis and its complications.


Sunday, March 4, 2012

Is recurrent tonsillitis in adults different from one in children?

 Brook and Foote compared the microbial flora of recurrently inflamed tonsils removed from 25 children with recurrent episodes of tonsillo-pharyngitis were compared to flora of tonsils removed from 23 adults suffering from similar illness. More bacterial isolates in each tonsil were found in adults (10.2 per tonsil) than in children (8.4 per tonsil). The difference between these groups was due to a higher recovery rate in adults of anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli. Conversely, Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated in seven (28%) children as compared to their isolation in only one (4%) adult.
More isolates of beta-lactamase-producing organisms (BLPO) per tonsil were recovered in adults. Forty-three BLPO were detected in 21 (91%) of the 23 tonsils removed from adults as compared to only 16 (64%) of the children (1.2 isolates per patient) (P=0.04).
These findings suggest that the cause of recurrent tonsillitis in adults may differ from that in children. The differences in the tonsillar microbiology may be due to the effect of many more courses of antimicrobials given over the years to adults and the changes in tonsillar tissue that occur in this age group.






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