Online ISSN: 1303-6289
Print ISSN: 0304-4793


Published Online: 
January 15, 2003


Turkish Archives of Otolaryngology 2002; 40(4): 247-251 Abstract



Full Text in Turkish [PDF] 237 KB

 

 

 

Surface and Core Microflora of the Tonsils in Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy

Rekürren Tonsillit Nedeni ile Tonsillektomi Yapılan Çocuklarda Tonsil Yüzeyel ve Derin Mikroflorası

E. İnci*, B. Karakullukçu*, G. Aygün**, A. Özdoğan*


*Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Department of Otorlaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and **Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, İstanbul, Turkey
Key Words

Recurrent tonsillitis, culture, penicillin resistance 
Abstract

 

 

 

Even though recurrent tonsillitis is one of the most frequently encountered problems of childhood, its etiology and treatment are points of debate. We aimed to determine pathogenic bacteria of the tonsil core, the diagnostic ability of surface swab cultures to show the core pathogenic bacteria. The study group consisted of 58 children between ages 3 and 12 who had problems with recurrent tonsillitis and tonsillectomy was planned as treatment. Surface and core swabs were taken during tonsillectomy and aerobe and anaerobe cultures were performed. Pathogens could be detected in core cultures in 50 (86%) of 58 patients. In core cultures 26 (52%) isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 13 (26%) isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, 10 (20%) isolates of group A beta hemolytic streptococci, and small numbers of other organisms were detected. Surface swabs could detect pathogenic bacteria in 19 (33%) patients. Overall penicillin resistance was 48%. S. aureus and H. influenzae should be considered as pathogens for recurrent tonsillitis as well as group A beta hemolytic streptococci. We believe that the antibiotic decision should be made with keeping penicillin resistance in mind.

Accepted after revision: December 20, 2002
Correspondence:
Ender İnci, MD 
İ.Ü. Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi KBB ve Baş Boyun Cerrahisi Anabilim Dalı
Cerrahpaşa 34303 Istanbul - Türkiye, Phone: (0212) 588 48 00 / 1519
e-mail: enderinci@hotmail.com

 



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