Katundu DR, Chussi D, van der Gaast-de Jongh CE, Rovers MM, de Jonge MI, Hannink G, van Heerbeek N. Bacterial colonisation of surface and core of palatine tonsils among Tanzanian children with recurrent chronic tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnoea who underwent (adeno)tonsillectomy.
J Laryngol Otol 2024;
138:89-92. [PMID:
37332170 PMCID:
PMC10772025 DOI:
10.1017/s0022215123001147]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Acute and chronic tonsillitis are frequently treated with antibiotics. This study aimed to understand the presence of pathogenic micro-organisms on the surface and core of chronically infected tonsils among Tanzanian children.
METHODS
The study enrolled children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Surface and core tonsillar swabs were taken. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria meningitidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
RESULTS
Surface and core combined, isolated N meningitidis (86.1 per cent) was found the most, followed by H influenzae (74.9 per cent), S pneumoniae (42.6 per cent) and S aureus (28.7 per cent). M catarrhalis and P aeruginosa were only found in a few patients, 5.6 per cent and 0.8 per cent respectively.
CONCLUSION
Colonisation of the tonsillar surface and core has been found. Potentially pathogenic micro-organisms are likely to be missed based on a throat swab. Hence, the practice of surface tonsillar swabbing may be misleading or insufficient.
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