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The role of viruses in the pathogenesis of peritonsillar abscess

M Rusan1, T E Klug, J J Henriksen

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark. rusanm@yahoo.com

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|March 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated viruses in peritonsillar abscess (PTA) pathogenesis. Researchers found no significant viral role in PTA development, suggesting other factors are involved.

Area of Science:

  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common complication of acute tonsillitis.
  • The role of viruses in PTA pathogenesis remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role of common viruses in the development of peritonsillar abscess.
  • To compare viral presence in tonsils of patients with PTA versus those with chronic tonsillar conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Palatine tonsil samples were collected from 25 patients with PTA and 55 controls undergoing elective tonsillectomy.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to detect herpes simplex virus-1 and -2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), influenza A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A and B.

Main Results:

  • HSV-1, adenovirus, and EBV were detected in the study population.
  • No statistically significant difference in the frequency of these viruses was observed between PTA patients and controls.
  • EBV viral load did not differ between groups or between abscessed and non-abscessed tonsils in PTA patients.

Conclusions:

  • The examined viruses (HSV-1, adenovirus, EBV) do not appear to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of peritonsillar abscess.
  • Further research is needed to identify the causative factors in PTA development.

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