No abstract

Numerous theories have been presented that attempt to explain the frequent recurrences of pharyngotonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes; these recurrences occur after seemingly adequate antibiotic treatment. We previously have demonstrated that Spyogenes can survive for up to 7 days intracellularly in immortalized human respiratory epithelial cells grown in an antibiotic supplemented medium. Viable S pyogenes were externalized and established an extracellular infection, whenever the extracellular antibiotic was removed. We have investigated the presence of intracellular S pyogenes in two in vivo studies using respiratory epithelial cells collected from patients with tonsillitis and the tonsils of asymptomatic carriers. Electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry demonstrated intracellular S pyogenes in pharyngeal epithelial cells in 13 of 14 patients with tonsillitis (93%). Furthermore, intracellular S pyogenes were found in macrophage-like cells in eight (73%) and in epithelial cells in four (36%) tonsils from 11 asymptomatic S pyogenes carriers. These in vivo data strongly support the hypothesis that intracellular S pyogenes can constitute a reservoir of bacteria with the potential to cause reinfections.

In this study we aimed to characterize the ompA gene by sequencing DNA from all detected cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a Swedish county during 2001, in order to improve the efficiency of contact tracing. Approximately 990 bp of the ompA gene was amplified, and sequence analysis was achieved in 678 (94%) of 725 C. trachomatis-positive cases in this unselected population. The most prevalent genotype was serotype E (39%), followed by F (21%), G (11%), D (9%), K (9%), J (7%), H (2%), B (1%), and Ia (1%). Serotype E was found in five genotype variants, with the reference sequence comprising 96% of all E cases. Serotype D was the most variable, and of seven sequence variants, three were identified as recombinants with serotype E. Altogether 29 genetic variants were detected, and mutations and recombination events are discussed. Clinical manifestations were not associated with genotypes. Sequence variation was linked to sexual networks identified by contact tracing and improved epidemiological knowledge but was of limited benefit.

An outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium infection in cats and humans in Sweden in 1999, associated with wild birds, is described. In the county of Värmland, 62 sick cats were examined. All were anorectic and lethargic, 57 per cent had vomiting and 31 per cent had diarrhoea. It was considered likely that salmonellosis was transmitted from cats to humans, but there were only a few such cases.

Recurrence of pharyngotonsillitis caused by S. pyogenes after seemingly adequate antibiotic treatment has puzzled scientists for many years. We investigated the ability of S. pyogenes to invade HEp-2 cells and survive intracellularly. Five strains were tested, of which two were isolated from patients with recurrent pharyngotonsillitis, two without recurrent infection, while one was a reference strain. All five strains were found capable of penetrating the cells and surviving intracellularly for between 4 and 7 days. In this manner, an intracellular reservoir of bacteria was created, with the potential to cause recurrent infections.

A novel method for the in vitro culture of tissue biopsies is presented. Infected tonsillar biopsies were successfully cultured by means of the continuous flow of media without the addition of antibiotics. Histological and immunohistological examinations were carried out on sections of Streptococcus pyogenes-infected cultured tonsillar biopsies and sections from the surgically removed tonsils of asymptomatic S. pyogenes carriers. Low numbers of intracellular S. pyogenes were detected inside epithelial cells in eight out of 12 (67%) S. pyogenes-infected biopsies, and in four out of 11 (36%) tonsils of asymptomatic carriers. Our findings support the hypothesis that the sanctuary where S. pyogenes avoids antibacterial treatment is intracellular, which may provide a possible explanation of recurrent tonsillitis.

Necrotizing pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus carrying the gene for Panton-Valentine leukocidin is a newly described disease entity. We report 2 cases with intrafamilial spread.

Centralised contact tracing, exploring the sexual history for at least 12 months back in time, shows good results. Combined with screening of certain risk groups it is probably one effective way of preventing C trachomatis infections. Preventing C trachomatis by primary prevention such as information and counselling is, however, still of great importance.