Investigating the epidemiological relevance of secretory otitis media and neighboring organ diseases through an Internet search.

Background: This study examined the epidemiological correlations between secretory otitis media (SOM) and diseases of neighboring organs. We measured changes in disease incidences during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic using Internet big data spanning from 2011 to 2021. Methods: This study used the Baidu Index (BI) to determine the search volume for the terms "secretory otitis media (SOM)", "tonsillitis", "pharyngolaryngitis", "adenoid hypertrophy (AH)", "nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)", "nasal septum deviation (NSD)", "rhinosinusitis", "allergic rhinitis (AR)", and "gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)" in Mandarin from January 2011 to December 2021. The correlations between these terms were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficients. The results were compared search data from 2019 and 2021 to assess the effects of isolation on SOM in 2020. Results: The seasonal variations trends of SOM and other diseases coincided well (P < 0.05), except for AR. During the 11-year timeframe, the monthly searches for rhinosinusitis, NSD, tonsillitis, pharyngolaryngitis, and NPC were statistically correlated with SOM (R = 0.825, 0.594, 0.650, 0.636, 0.664, respectively; P < 0.05). No correlation was found between SOM and AR, SOM and AH, or SOM and GERD (R =  - 0.028, R = 0.259, R = 0.014, respectively, P > 0.05). The total search volumes for SOM, rhinosinusitis, NPC, and AH decreased in 2020 compared to 2019. Discussion: SOM exhibited a discernible epidemiological connection with rhinosinusitis, nasal septal deviation (NSD), tonsillitis, pharyngolaryngitis, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A decrease in public gatherings was observed to effectively reduce the incidences of SOM. This underscores the pivotal role of social measures in influencing the prevalence of SOM and emphasizes the intricate interplay between SOM and various associated health factors, with implications for public health strategies.

Elaboración de una escala de puntuación predictiva de infección periamigdalina basada en signos y síntomas / Design of a predictive score table for peritonsillar infection based on signs and symptoms

Introducción La infección periamigdalina (IPA) supone un motivo de consulta urgente entre las molestias de garganta. Un diagnóstico diferido o incorrecto puede comprometer la vía aerodigestiva alta y resultar mortal en su evolución. Nuestro objetivo fue desarrollar un modelo predictivo de presencia de IPA que ayude en su rápida detección. Pacientes y métodos Un estudio observacional retrospectivo de 66 meses desde 2017 fue desarrollado en un hospital comarcal y su centro terciario de referencia, recogiendo datos de todos los pacientes diagnosticados de IPA y un volumen proporcional de sujetos con sintomatología faríngea sin IPA. Recopilación de datos clínicos, exploratorios y demográficos entre participantes. Su mayor riesgo relativo de presencia de IPA los etiquetó como variables a testar. Elaboración de una escala de puntuación de probabilidad de padecerla y análisis de regresión logística, con obtención de la curva ROC que ofreciera mejor correlación diagnóstica. Validación interna y cálculo de los valores predictivos de este modelo. Resultados Sobre 348 casos de IPA, la escala de valoración puntuó la presencia de 6 variables: trismus (3), disfagia-odinofagia unilateral (2), abombamiento velar (2), otalgia refleja (1), faringolalia (1) y edad de 16-46 años (1). Con un rango de 0 a 10, un cut-off≥6 ofreció una sensibilidad del 96,1%, una especificidad del 93,9% y una eficienca del 94,9%. El área bajo la curva ROC fue de 0,979. Conclusiones La validación interna de este modelo basado en signos y síntomas la faculta como herramienta muy útil para detectar precozmente IPA en otorrinolaringología y atención primaria (AU)

Background Peritonsillar infection (PTI) is a reason for urgent consultation due to intense throat discomfort. A delayed or inaccurate diagnosis can jeopardize the upper aerodigestive tract and be fatal in its evolution. Our objective was to develop a predictive model for the presence of IPA helping in its rapid detection. Patients and methods A 66-month retrospective observational study from 2017 was carried out in a county and tertiary referral hospitals, registering data from all patients diagnosed with PTI and a proportional volume of subjects with pharyngeal symptoms without PTI. Collection of clinical, exploratory and demographic data among participants. Their higher relative risk of PTI presence allowed them to be considered as variables to be tested. Development of a scoring scale for the probability of suffering from it and logistic regression analysis, obtaining the ROC curve with the best diagnostic correlation. Internal validation and estimation of the predictive values of the model. Results On 348 cases of PTI, the assessment scale scored the presence of six variables: trismus (3), unilateral dysphagia-odynophagia (2), velar bulging (2), reflex otalgia (1), pharyngolalia (1) and age between 16 and 46 years (1). With a range of 0-10, a cut-off ≥6 offered a sensitivity of 96.1%, a specificity of 93.9%, and an efficiency of 94.9%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.979. Conclusions The internal validation of this model based on signs and symptoms makes it a very useful tool for early detection of PTI in otorhinolaryngology and primary care (AU)

Outcomes of abscess tonsillectomy in patients awaiting tonsillectomy: A comparison with interval tonsillectomy.

PURPOSE: Peritonsillar abscesses (PTA) occasionally occur in patients who have a concurrent history of recurrent tonsillitis or prior PTA episodes. These patients sometimes meet the indications for elective tonsillectomy even prior to the current PTA event. Abscess ("Quinsy") tonsillectomy (QT) could serve as definitive treatment in this specific subgroup, though it is not performed often. The purpose of this study was to compare the perioperative outcomes between immediate QT and tonsillectomy performed several days (delayed QT) or weeks (Interval tonsillectomy, IT) after incision and drainage (I&D) of the PTA in this specific subgroup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective perioperative outcomes analysis of patients undergoing tonsillectomy (2002-2022) compared QT to delayed QT and IT in patients with PTA meeting AAO-HNS elective tonsillectomy criteria. RESULTS: 110 patients were included: 55 underwent IT, 36 underwent delayed QT, and 19 underwent immediate QT. Postoperative hemorrhage rates were 14.5 %, 11.1 %, and 5.3 % for IT, delayed QT, and immediate QT, respectively (P = 0.08). Mean hospitalization durations were 7.98, 6.92, and 5.37 days for IT, delayed QT, and immediate QT, respectively (P < 0.01). IT had a higher readmission rate due to pain compared to QT (14.5 % vs. 1.9 %, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Immediate QT in PTA patients eligible for elective tonsillectomy is associated with lower postoperative hemorrhage, shorter admission time, and potentially reduced postoperative pain compared to I&D and delayed or interval tonsillectomy. These findings suggest that immediate QT should be considered as a primary treatment in this subgroup of eligible patients.

Faringoamigdalitis y estreptococo, ¿enemigo o colonizador? / Tonsillopharyngitis and streptococcus, enemy or colonizer?

Introducción: la principal etiología de la faringoamigdalitis aguda (FAA) es vírica, y entre la bacteriana, Streptococcus pyogenes constituye un colonizador no despreciable de la población pediátrica sana. El objetivo del estudio es conocer el modo de utilización del test de diagnóstico rápido estreptocócico (TDR) en los servicios de urgencias pediátricas para poder optimizar su uso, reducir el sobrediagnóstico de las FAA estreptocócicas (FAAE) y la prescripción de antibióticos. Material y métodos: se recoge la información retrospectiva del número de TDR realizados a los pacientes atendidos en el servicio de urgencias pediátricas de un hospital terciario, desde enero de 2022 a enero de 2023 (ambos inclusive). También se ha recogido información acerca de a cuántos se les había practicado más de un TDR y el tiempo transcurrido. Resultados: durante los 13 meses estudiados se realizaron un total de 1610 TDR (43% en <5 años). Se realizó más de un TDR a 89 pacientes (53% en <5 años) y el 40% de estos se llevaron a cabo en los primeros 40 días. Discusión: las pruebas microbiológicas para detectar Streptococcus pyogenes no son capaces de diferenciar entre infección activa y estado de portador sano. Según los resultados de nuestro estudio parece existir un uso inadecuado de los TDR; la mayoría de las pruebas se realizan en <5 años, donde la etiología estreptocócica es menos frecuente y el estado de portador sano predominante. Esto conlleva un sobrediagnóstico de la FAAE, sobretratamiento antibiótico, aparición de efectos adversos y resistencias bacterianas. (AU)

Introduction: the most frequent aetiology of acute pharyngitis (AP) is viral, and among the bacterial causes, Streptococcus pyogenes is a colonizer that cannot be overlooked in the healthy paediatric population. The aim of the study was to determine how the rapid streptococcal diagnostic test (RST) is used in paediatric emergency departments in order to optimize its use and reduce the overdiagnosis of acute streptococcal pharyngitis (SP) and antibiotic prescribing. Material and methods: we collected retrospective data on the number of RSTs performed on patients managed in the paediatric emergency department of a tertiary care hospital between January 2022 and January 2023 (both included). We also collected data on the number of patients who underwent more than one RST and the time elapsed between tests. Results: during the 13-month study period, a total of 1610 RSTs were performed (43% in children < 5 years). More than one RST was performed in 89 patients (53% in children < 5 years), and 40% of additional tests were performed within 40 days of the previous one. Discussion: microbiological tests for S. pyogenes cannot differentiate between active infection and healthy carriage. Based on the findings of our study, there seems to be an inadequate use of RDTs; most tests are performed in children aged less than 5 years, in whom a streptococcal aetiology is less frequent and healthy carrier status predominates. This leads to overdiagnosis of acute SP, antibiotic overuse, adverse events and bacterial resistance. (AU)

NLRP12-associated autoinflammatory disease in Chinese adult patients: a single-centre study.

BACKGROUND: NLRP12-associated autoinflammatory disease (NLRP12-AID) is an autosomal dominant autoinflammatory disorder caused by variants of NLRP12 gene. We aimed to report a cohort of Chinese adult patients with NLRP12-AID and summarised phenotypes and genotypes. METHODS: Twenty patients were diagnosed with NLRP12-AID after performing whole-exome sequencing and were included in our cohort. Demographic information, clinical data and treatment response were collected and evaluated. A literature review of NLRP12-AID was performed, and the clinical features and mutated sites were summarised and compared with our cohort. RESULTS: Among the 20 NLRP12-AID patients, the main clinical features of NLRP12-AID included fever, cutaneous rash, arthralgia/arthritis, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, lymphadenopathy, myalgia and abdominal pain/diarrhoea. Thirteen NLRP12 variants were detected as F402L, G39V, R1030X, R7G, E24A, Q90X, A218V, A259V, W581X, G729R, R859W, c.-150T>C and c.*126G>C. Glucocorticoids were used in 14 patients, immunosuppressive agents in 13, and tocilizumab in 2. Seventeen patients had good responses to therapy. When compared with 50 NLRP12-AID patients from other countries, Chinese patients had fewer variants in exon 3, higher incidences of cutaneous rash, pharyngitis/tonsillitis and lymphadenopathy. Among all these 70 NLRP12-AID patients, patients carrying non-exon-3 variants had higher frequencies of ocular involvement, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, headache and lymphadenopathy than those with exon-3 variants. CONCLUSION: This is the largest cohort of NLRP12-AID in the world and seven novel variants of NLRP12 were identified. Chinese adult patients of NLRP12-AID had more non-specific symptoms such as pharyngitis/tonsillitis and lymphadenopathy when compared with patients from other countries, for which the less occurrence of exon-3 variants might be one possible reason.

Post-tonsillectomy Hemorrhage in Patients Receiving Ketorolac Analgesic.

Background Ketorolac, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is thought to have less sedation as well as postoperative nausea and vomiting in comparison to opioids, but with higher risk of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage as reported in some of the literatures. There is no consensus till date in the use of ketorolac in the management of pain following tonsil and adenoid related surgeries. Objective To find out the incidence of hemorrhage following tonsil and adenoid related surgeries in patients receiving ketorolac in postoperative period. Method This is a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing tonsil and adenoid related surgeries who had received ketorolac during April, 2013 to May, 2019 at department of ENT-HNS, Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), Lalitpur, Nepal. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage rate was calculated in pediatric and adult patients. Result During the study period, 103 patients (male - 50 and female - 53) received ketorolac in postoperative period. Tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy were performed in 71and 32 patients respectively. Forty-five patients were < 18 years whereas 58 were ≥ 18 years. Most common indication for surgery was recurrent tonsillitis (66/103) followed by adenotonsillar hypertrophy (31/103). Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage was observed in 15 patients; among them, four out 45 were < 18 years and 11 out of 58 ≥ 18 years. All five patients out of 15, who required surgical intervention for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, were ≥ 18 years and were operated for recurrent tonsillitis. Rest of the patients (10/15) were managed conservatively. None of the patients required blood transfusion. Conclusion Ketorolac is not associated with increased risk of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in children and can safely be administered. Whereas in adults, recurrent tonsillitis being the most common indication for tonsillectomy, it should be used cautiously.

Assessment of changes in Streptococcus pyogenes levels using N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase marker and pharyngeal airway space with appliance therapy in mouth breathers - An ELISA-based study.

Background: The frequency of adenotonsillar hypertrophy in mouth-breathing children when compared to the average found in the general population is considered to be higher. Mouth breathing is considered as one of the causative factors for tonsillitis in children. Through continuous irritation on tonsillar wall, tonsils swell up and inflammation develops. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate Streptococcus pyogenes count using colony-forming units (CFUs) and N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase side chain marker on ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) in mouth breathers and to establish its correlation with pharyngeal airway space pre- and post-oral screen appliance therapy. Materials and Methods: A total number of 24 (n) mouth breathers aged between 5 and 12 years were included in the study and given oral screen appliance therapy. The subjects were evaluated for the various parameters before the delivery of a habit-breaking appliance and then reevaluated for the same parameters (presence of S. pyogenes and its counts, size of tonsils, and pharyngeal airway space dimensions) after 6 months of appliance usage. Results: A statistically significant difference was seen in levels of S. pyogenes using ELISA and CFUs. Furthermore, statistically significant difference was observed in Friedman tonsil scoring and pharyngeal airway space and pre- and post-oral screen appliance therapy. Conclusion: Oral screen appliance therapy reduced the frequency of occurrence of tonsillitis in mouth breathers by decreasing the counts of S. pyogenes bacteria. Upper and lower pharyngeal airway space dimensions were increased after 6 months of appliance therapy in mouth breathers.

Conservative management versus tonsillectomy in adults with recurrent acute tonsillitis in the UK (NATTINA): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Tonsillectomy is regularly performed in adults with acute tonsillitis, but with scarce evidence. A reduction in tonsillectomies has coincided with an increase in acute adult hospitalisation for tonsillitis complications. We aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of conservative management versus tonsillectomy in patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis. METHODS: This pragmatic multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial was conducted in 27 hospitals in the UK. Participants were adults aged 16 years or older who were newly referred to secondary care otolaryngology clinics with recurrent acute tonsillitis. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive tonsillectomy or conservative management using random permuted blocks of variable length. Stratification by recruiting centre and baseline symptom severity was assessed using the Tonsil Outcome Inventory-14 score (categories defined as mild 0-35, moderate 36-48, or severe 49-70). Participants in the tonsillectomy group received elective surgery to dissect the palatine tonsils within 8 weeks after random assignment and those in the conservative management group received standard non-surgical care during 24 months. The primary outcome was the number of sore throat days collected during 24 months after random assignment, reported once per week with a text message. The primary analysis was done in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, 55284102. FINDINGS: Between May 11, 2015, and April 30, 2018, 4165 participants with recurrent acute tonsillitis were assessed for eligibility and 3712 were excluded. 453 eligible participants were randomly assigned (233 in the immediate tonsillectomy group vs 220 in the conservative management group). 429 (95%) patients were included in the primary ITT analysis (224 vs 205). The median age of participants was 23 years (IQR 19-30), with 355 (78%) females and 97 (21%) males. Most participants were White (407 [90%]). Participants in the immediate tonsillectomy group had fewer days of sore throat during 24 months than those in the conservative management group (median 23 days [IQR 11-46] vs 30 days [14-65]). After adjustment for site and baseline severity, the incident rate ratio of total sore throat days in the immediate tonsillectomy group (n=224) compared with the conservative management group (n=205) was 0·53 (95% CI 0·43 to 0·65; <0·0001). 191 adverse events in 90 (39%) of 231 participants were deemed related to tonsillectomy. The most common adverse event was bleeding (54 events in 44 [19%] participants). No deaths occurred during the study. INTERPRETATION: Compared with conservative management, immediate tonsillectomy is clinically effective and cost-effective in adults with recurrent acute tonsillitis. FUNDING: National Institute for Health Research.

Acute Tonsillitis Due To Monkeypox.

BACKGROUND: The emerging 2022 human mpox virus outbreak has presented with unique disease manifestations challenging prior case definitions. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 42-year-old transgender woman with human immunodeficiency virus controlled on antiretroviral therapy, presenting with sore throat, who, after three emergency department visits, was found to have acute tonsillitis complicated by airway obstruction secondary to mpox. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Sore throat is a common presentation to the emergency department. mpox should be placed on the list of differential diagnoses when evaluating patients who present with pharyngitis to avoid complications or a missed diagnosis.

Management of massive cerebral infarction as a complication of post-tonsillectomy and analysis of the risk factors: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The majority of postoperative complications of tonsillectomy are bleeding. However, massive cerebral infarction following haemostasis is a very rare and serious complication and has rarely been reported clinically. CASE PRESENTATION: We performed a left tonsillectomy on a patient with chronic tonsillitis. After that, active bleeding was found under the tonsillar fossa, so an exploratory hypopharyngeal haemostasis was performed. However, the bleeding worsened intraoperatively, so the patient was converted to a cervical angiographic embolization. The interventional procedure was completed successfully without an ectopic embolic event. After the procedure, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) and was diagnosed with acute massive cerebral infarction in the left cerebral hemisphere after awakening symptoms combined with cranial computed tomography angiography (CTA) results. Symptomatic treatment such as sedation and analgesia, dehydration to lower intracranial pressure, and maintenance of respiratory and circulatory stability was then administered. After treatment, the patient's condition stabilized and he was transferred to the rehabilitation physiotherapy unit for rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage can be augmented with a carotid arteriogram to clarify whether the tonsillar fossa is at a safe distance from the posterior internal carotid artery. Furthermore, interventional haemostasis can also be performed as early as possible to reduce the incidence of complications in cases of persistent post-tonsillectomy bleeding.

Does infection play a role in post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage? A narrative review.

OBJECTIVE: Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage is an increasingly common cause of morbidity following tonsillectomy. Secondary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage occurring more than 24 hours after an operation has long been attributed to post-operative infection; however, there is little evidence to support this hypothesis and the associated use of antibiotics in the current literature. METHOD: This study looked at the aetiology and evidence-based management of post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage, and investigated the impact of bacterial infection and antimicrobials on the pathogenesis and clinical course of this complication. RESULTS: A number of peri-operative risk factors for post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage exist, and infective pathologies, including recurrent or chronic tonsillitis and group A streptococcus on blood cultures, may predispose to bleeding. Very few studies have shown a link between post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage and objective markers of infection such as pyrexia, raised inflammatory markers or positive microbiology cultures. The role of antibiotics in secondary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage remains controversial, and numerous randomised, controlled trials of peri-operative antibiotics have shown no significant difference in bleeding rates between antibiotics and controls. CONCLUSION: Further trials investigating the role of antibiotics and more robust studies investigating the presence of bacterial infection at the time of bleeding may be required to determine the true role of infection in post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage.

[Clinical and morphological picture of chronic tonsillitis and its pathogenetic relationship with periodontal diseases: literature review]. / Kliniko-morfologicheskaya kartina khronicheskogo tonzillita i ego patogeneticheskaya svyaz' s parodontopatiyami: obzor literatury.

The article is devoted to the study of chronic tonsillitis from the point of view of the clinical and morphological picture of the disease, histological changes in the palatine tonsils in various forms of CT. The authors raise the question of studying the assessment of the effect of conservative therapy on the morpho-functional state of the palatine tonsils. The article focuses on the study and influence of extratonsillary oropharyngeal loci of focal infection, such as periodontopathies, on the course of chronic inflammation of the palatine tonsils. The association of periodontitis with CT and various somatic diseases has been demonstrated. The necessity of further study of the cause-and-effect relationships of CT and periodontal diseases, as well as a more in-depth study of the morphological picture in CT using immunohistochemical methods of research, which will allow us to develop new principles for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, is justified.

Monkeypox in a Patient with Controlled HIV Infection Initially Presenting with Fever, Painful Pharyngitis, and Tonsillitis.

Background and Objectives: With more and more cases emerging outside central and west African countries, where the disease is endemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared human monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Typical symptoms of the disease include fever, myalgia, and lymphadenopathy followed by a rash, but other symptoms may occur. Immunocompromised patients, including patients with uncontrolled Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, may be at risk for more severe courses. Case presentation: We present the case of a 30-year-old male patient of Brazilian descent with monkeypox. Initial symptoms were fever and general discomfort, with painful pharyngitis and tonsillitis and finally a papular rash of the anogenital area as the disease progressed. The presumed date of infection was a sexual contact with an unknown male eight days before the first symptoms occurred. The patient had a known and controlled HIV infection. The main reason for the initial presentation at the hospital was painful pharyngitis and tonsillitis, limiting food intake. Monkeypox infection was confirmed via PCR testing from a swab sample of cutaneous lesions. Adequate systemic and local analgesia enabled oral food uptake again. Antiviral therapy with Tecovirimat was not administered due to the stable immune status of the patient and the mild clinical symptoms. To cover a possible bacterial superinfection or Syphilis infection of the tonsil, antibiotic therapy with Ceftriaxone was added. Several days after presentation, the inflammation of the pharynx resolved and was followed by non-painful mucosal peeling. The patient was followed up with telephone calls and reported a complete recovery. The skin lesions were completely dried out 18 days after the first symptoms. Conclusions: Painful pharyngitis and tonsillitis can be rare early symptoms of monkeypox, which is highly relevant in everyday clinical practice. Particularly in patients with risk factors for monkeypox infection, further clinical and microbiologic testing for monkeypox should be performed if there is a clinical presentation with pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

Analysis of Microorganism Colonization, Biofilm Production, and Antibacterial Susceptibility in Recurrent Tonsillitis and Peritonsillar Abscess Patients.

Background: Despite the widespread use of antibiotics to treat infected tonsils, episodes of tonsillitis tend to recur and turn into recurrent tonsillitis (RT) or are complicated by peritonsillar abscesses (PTAs). The treatment of RT and PTAs remains surgical, and tonsillectomies are still relevant. Materials and methods: In a prospective, controlled study, we analyzed the bacteria of the tonsillar crypts of 99 patients with RT and 29 patients with a PTA. We performed the biofilm formation and antibacterial susceptibility testing of strains isolated from study patients. We compared the results obtained between patient groups with the aim to identify any differences that may contribute to ongoing symptoms of RT or that may play a role in developing PTAs. Results: The greatest diversity of microorganisms was found in patients with RT. Gram-positive bacteria were predominant in both groups. Candida species were predominant in patients with a PTA (48.3% of cases). Irrespective of patient group, the most commonly isolated pathogenic bacterium was S. aureus (in 33.3% of RT cases and in 24.14% of PTA cases). The most prevalent Gram-negative bacterium was K. pneumoniae (in 10.1% of RT cases and in 13.4% of PTA cases). At least one biofilm-producing strain was found in 37.4% of RT cases and in 27.6% of PTA cases. Moderate or strong biofilm producers were detected in 16 out of 37 cases of RT and in 2 out of 8 PTA cases. There was a statistically significant association found between the presence of Gram-positive bacteria and a biofilm-formation phenotype in the RT group and PTA group (Pearson χ2 test, p < 0.001). S. aureus and K. pneumoniae strains were sensitive to commonly used antibiotics. One S. aureus isolate was identified as MRSA. Conclusions: S. aureus is the most common pathogen isolated from patients with RT, and Candida spp. are the most common pathogens isolated from patients with a PTA. S. aureus isolates are susceptible to most antibiotics. Patients with RT more commonly have biofilm-producing strains, but patients with a PTA more commonly have biofilm non-producer strains. K. pneumoniae does not play a major role in biofilm production.

PCR Detection of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, in Patients with Chronic Tonsillitis, and in Healthy Individuals.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common virus worldwide that is an etiologic agent in the development of many diseases, including cancer. Recent reports have shown the association of EBV with tumorigenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Moreover, EBV has been reported to be present in tonsillar tissues, which suggests a close relationship between viral infections and tonsillar diseases, including chronic tonsillitis. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of EBV DNA in 86 patients with HNSCC, in 70 patients with chronic tonsillitis, and in 144 healthy individuals (control group) and the associations between EBV infection and clinicopathological and demographic characteristics and the use of stimulants in all study groups. The objective of this study was also to analyze the prevalence of coinfection with human papillomavirus (HPV). After prior DNA isolation, EBV detection was performed using an EBV kit by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The prevalence of EBV infection in patients with HNSCC, patients with chronic tonsillitis, and the control group was 47.7%, 60%, and 24.3%, respectively. Compared to controls, a significantly higher prevalence of EBV in patients with chronic tonsillitis and HNSCC may suggest that EBV is a potential risk factor. No association was found between EBV infection and demographic or clinical data. Further studies are warranted due to inconclusive reports that were mainly related to geographic distribution, sample type, and detection technique. Considering the prevalence of the virus and the risk of serious diseases, attention should be paid to screening diagnosis and prevention of the infection.

Vitamin D Levels in Children with Recurrent Acute Tonsillitis in Jordan: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Vitamin D is essential for many functions of the body. In addition to its primary function of regulating the absorption of calcium in the small intestine, its role in the immune system has recently been studied. The current study aimed to test the impact of vitamin D deficiency on the rate of recurrent acute tonsillitis in children. Methods: According to Paradise criteria, two hundred forty-two children with recurrent acute tonsillitis were recruited. A group of healthy children (n = 262) was also recruited as controls. Poisson regression was run to predict the number of tonsillitis episodes per year based on vitamin D levels. The mean vitamin D level in the study group was lower than in the control group (p < 0.0001). Poisson regression of the rate of recurrent tonsillitis and vitamin D level (OR = 0.969 (95% CI, 0.962−0.975)) showed that for every single unit increase in vitamin D level, there was a 3.1% decrease in the number of tonsillitis episodes per year (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher rates of recurrent acute tonsillitis. Future controlled trials should investigate the role of vitamin D supplementation in reducing the rate of recurrent tonsillitis.

Is Helicobacter pylori colonization associated with chronic tonsillitis? - A meta-analysis and systematic review.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between Helicobacter pylori colonization of tonsillar tissue in chronic tonsillitis and in noninfectious hyperplastic tonsils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All included studies investigated the presence of Helicobacter pylori in tonsillar tissue removed for infectious or noninfectious factors. Included studies must have used an accepted method of testing for Helicobacter pylori. We pooled six eligible studies to perform a traditional meta-analysis. RESULTS: Six studies were included, including 462 patients. Helicobacter pylori does have a significant role in chronic tonsillitis compared with noninfectious indications for tonsillectomy for children population. Detection methods had effects on results. CONCLUSION: The positive rate of Helicobacter pylori in chronic tonsillitis group was significantly higher than that in simple noninfectious group for the pediatric population, but not for adults. We suspected that chronic tonsillitis is likely to be relevant to Helicobacter pylori.