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[Metronidazole and angina caused by infectious mononucleosis]
D Dalmau1, F Travieso, C Sánchez
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Mútua de Terrassa, Barcelona.
Abstract:
Four patients presenting the severe tonsillar form of mononucleosis are reported. Three were male and their age ranged 16 to 19 years. They showed purulent pharyngo-tonsillitis which appeared 7 to 21 days before. Pharyngeal culture failed to show beta hemolytic streptococci in all cases. The patients were treated with metronidazole 250-500 mg/every 8 hours and all experienced a rapid clinical improvement of the oral infection within 36-48 hours with a rapid decrease of the fever. Although the reasons by which metronidazole produces a rapid clinical improvement are not known, administration of this drug in patients with severe tonsillar involvement appears to be useful in the treatment of infectious mononucleosis.
Insights
Metronidazole rapidly improved severe infectious mononucleosis symptoms in four adolescent patients. This treatment showed significant clinical improvement and fever reduction within 48 hours.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Otolaryngology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Infectious mononucleosis, often caused by Epstein-Barr virus, can present with severe tonsillar involvement.
- Purulent pharyngo-tonsillitis is a common symptom, and bacterial causes like beta-hemolytic streptococci must be ruled out.
- Standard treatment protocols for severe tonsillar mononucleosis may not always address rapid symptom alleviation.