Bacteriology of Chronic Tonsillitis in Young Adults

Abstract

\s=b\Tonsils were obtained from 22 young adults (mean age, 23 years) suffering from chronic tonsillitis. Mixed aerobic and anaerobic flora was obtained from core tonsillar cultures in all patients, yielding an average of 9.0 isolates (5.3 anaerobes and 3.7 aerobes) per specimen. The predominant anaerobic isolates were Bacteroides sp, Fusobacterium sp, and gram-positive cocci. The predominant aerobic isolates were \g=a\-hemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Branhamella catarrhalis, \g=b\-hemolytic streptococci, and Hemophilus sp. \g=b\-Lactamase-production was noted in 32 isolates recovered from 18 tonsils (82%). These included all eight isolates of S aureus and five B fragilis, and 11 of 24 B melaninogenicus group (46%). Our findings indicate the polymicrobial nature of deep tonsillar flora in young adults with chronic tonsillitis, and demonstrate the presence of \g=b\-lactamase-producingorganisms in most of the patients.

Comparison of the Surface and Core Bacteria in Tonsillar and Adenoid Tissue With Beta-Lactamase Production

“…[17]. In the literature, studies with higher rates of anaerobic microorganisms isolated [10,18,19], and also with lower rates which are similar to our study have been reported [1,3,20,21]. The most frequently isolated anaerobic microorganism was peptostreptococcus similar to the literature [10,13,17].…”

Tonsillar surface swab bacterial culture results differ from those of the tonsillar core in recurrent tonsillitis

“…However, some of the bacteria are potential pathogens, for example group A streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae , and pneumococci. The 10 most common bacteria concurred with the common bacteria identified in other studies 11–13 . Interestingly, the most common bacterium found on the surface was group C streptococcus, and there was no difference between the surface and core ( P = 0.180).…”

Throat Swabs in Chronic Tonsillitis: A Time‐honoured Practice Best Forgotten

“…In this group of patients, Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant single organism present. This contrasts with Brook and Yocum's study, 15 in which the main organism was β‐haernolytic streptococcus. King 2 also identified haemolytic coagulase positive staphylococci as the commonest virulent bacteria and suggested that the increased prevalence of staphylococcal tonsillitis had occurred after increased general use of antibiotics, quoting Polvogt and Crowe 16 who reported a 91% incidence of streptococci and 8% for staphylococci from tonsillar cultures at surgery.…”