[A tonsillitis epidemic caused by adenoviruses]

An epidemic of lacunar angina which affected, in relatively close common life, mostly only one of nine military units living in the same area. The failure of penicillin and negative finding of streptococci resulted in a retrospective establishment of the agent, which with all probability was adenovirus type 4. It has become obvious that the typical picture of lacunar or even pseudomembranous angina is not a reliable sign indicating streptococcal etiological even in a mass infection. The authors draw attention to the importance of continuous bacteriological surveillance even if only several cases of pharnygotonsillitis occur in a community. Uncertainties of the use of penicillin are then unnecessary in the therapy and even prophylaxis of the whole group, even if the first view may suggest its use. Some epidemiological features of the mass adenovirus angina are discussed.