Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils. The inflammation usually extends to the adenoid and the lingual tonsils; therefore, the term pharyngitis may also be used (1).
Tonsillitis most often occurs in children; however, the condition rarely occurs in children younger than 2 years. Tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus species typically occurs in children aged 5-15 years, while viral tonsillitis is more common in younger children (1).
Most cases of bacterial tonsillitis are caused by group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes (GABHS). The oropharynx and Waldeyer tonsillar ring are normally colonized by many different species of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including Staphylococcus, non-hemolytic streptococci, Lactobacillus, …show more content…
There was a positive correlation between frequent tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy; thus frequent tonsillar infection may cause tonsillar hypertrophy. The history of frequent tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy decreased with increasing age …show more content…
T-cell functions, such as interferon-γ production and, presumably, production of other important lymphokines, have been shown to be present in tonsils (4).
Microbiology
Tonsillitis is one of the most prevalent infections in children and adolescents. The etiologic agents might be viral or bacterial. About 30% of cases are reported to be of bacterial origin, mainly due to group A Streptococcus (1).
Many other organisms are involved of particular importance are beta-lactamase producing organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Hemophilus influenza. In polymicrobial infections beta-lactamase producing organisms can protect GAS from eradication with penicillins.
A polymicrobial bacterial population is observed in most cases of chronic tonsillitis, with alpha- and beta-hemolytic streptococcal species, S aureus, H influenza, and Bacteroides species having been identified.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae are the most common bacteria isolated in recurrent tonsillitis, and Bacteroidesfragilis is the most common anaerobic bacterium isolated in recurrent tonsillitis(4).
Table 1; Bacteria and Virus commonly cultured from the tonsils
Tonsillitis most often occurs in children; however, the condition rarely occurs in children younger than 2 years. Tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus species typically occurs in children aged 5-15 years, while viral tonsillitis is more common in younger children (1).
Most cases of bacterial tonsillitis are caused by group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes (GABHS). The oropharynx and Waldeyer tonsillar ring are normally colonized by many different species of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including Staphylococcus, non-hemolytic streptococci, Lactobacillus, …show more content…
There was a positive correlation between frequent tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy; thus frequent tonsillar infection may cause tonsillar hypertrophy. The history of frequent tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy decreased with increasing age …show more content…
T-cell functions, such as interferon-γ production and, presumably, production of other important lymphokines, have been shown to be present in tonsils (4).
Microbiology
Tonsillitis is one of the most prevalent infections in children and adolescents. The etiologic agents might be viral or bacterial. About 30% of cases are reported to be of bacterial origin, mainly due to group A Streptococcus (1).
Many other organisms are involved of particular importance are beta-lactamase producing organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Hemophilus influenza. In polymicrobial infections beta-lactamase producing organisms can protect GAS from eradication with penicillins.
A polymicrobial bacterial population is observed in most cases of chronic tonsillitis, with alpha- and beta-hemolytic streptococcal species, S aureus, H influenza, and Bacteroides species having been identified.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae are the most common bacteria isolated in recurrent tonsillitis, and Bacteroidesfragilis is the most common anaerobic bacterium isolated in recurrent tonsillitis(4).
Table 1; Bacteria and Virus commonly cultured from the tonsils