Toxoplasmosis among cases of chronic tonsillitis

One hundred cases aged 4-20 years and suffering from chronic tonsillitis were examined for Toxoplasma antibodies using indirect immunofluorescent test (IFAT). It was found that 37% of them were positive for toxoplasmosis. 41.5% of hypertrophic cases and 32% of atrophic ones had toxoplasmosis but the difference was statistically insignificant. The mean antibody titres were higher in both atrophic and hypertrophic cases than in the control group. The patients aged from 11-20 years had a higher titre of Toxoplasma antibodies than those aged below ten years. Trials to detect tachyzoites, cysts or pseudocysts in fixed paraffin sections using Hx & E, PAS or Giemsa stains were not successful. The histopathological picture of tonsils removed from positive cases of toxoplasmosis showed characteristics of toxoplasmic lymphadenitis.