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Immune response to Prevotella intermedia in patients with recurrent nonstreptococcal tonsillitis
1Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.
Abstract:
The role of three oral flora organisms (Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) was investigated in 31 children with recurrent nonstreptococcal tonsillitis. Antibody titers to the three organisms were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the 31 patients, as well as in 32 control patients who had not suffered from recurrent tonsillitis. None of the individuals in either group suffered from periodontal or dental illness. Significantly higher antibody levels to P intermedia were found in the study group as compared to controls (median 91.0 versus 72.5; p = .02). In contrast, the antibody titers to the other two organisms were generally low (less than 0.30), and no difference was found among the two study groups. The elevated antibody levels to P intermedia, a known oral pathogen that is also isolated from most recurrently inflamed tonsils, suggest a pathogenic role for this organism in recurrent tonsillitis.
Insights
Recurrent tonsillitis in children may be linked to Prevotella intermedia, an oral bacterium. Higher antibody levels to this specific oral flora were found in children with recurrent tonsillitis compared to healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Recurrent tonsillitis is a common pediatric condition.
- The role of oral flora in nonstreptococcal tonsillitis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific oral flora and recurrent nonstreptococcal tonsillitis in children.
- To compare antibody titers to Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in children with and without recurrent tonsillitis.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure antibody titers.
- Antibody levels to three oral organisms were assessed in 31 children with recurrent tonsillitis and 32 controls.
- Exclusion criteria included periodontal or dental disease.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher antibody levels to Prevotella intermedia were observed in the recurrent tonsillitis group (median 91.0) compared to controls (median 72.5; p = .02).
- Antibody titers to Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were low and showed no significant difference between groups.
Conclusions:
- Elevated antibody levels to Prevotella intermedia suggest a potential pathogenic role in recurrent nonstreptococcal tonsillitis.
- Prevotella intermedia, an oral pathogen, is frequently found in inflamed tonsils, supporting its involvement.