Capnocytophaga ochracea and group F beta-hemolytic streptococcus suppurative thyroiditis

The route of infection in acute suppurative thyroiditis is unknown in most cases; when demonstrated, pyriform sinus fistula appears to be the most frequent one. We report the clinical and laboratory findings of a child in whom culture of the thyroid pus yielded two bacteria which are part of the normal oropharyngeal flora: capnocytophaga ochracea and group F Beta-hemolytic streptococcus. The preliminary results of the culture, which showed a mixed flora, prompted us to search and to find a pyriform sinus fistula. Apart from the onset in infancy, the left lobe involvement and the frequent recurrence, the recovery from the thyroid pus of bacteria from normal oropharyngeal flora should be included in the characteristic features of thyroiditis resulting from an infection through the pyriform sinus fistula.