Prolonged and recurrent tonsillitis associated with sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Chlamydia trachomatis is a prevalent sexually transmitted pathogen.
• Tonsillitis is typically caused by viral or bacterial infections.
• The role of sexually transmitted infections in tonsillitis is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and tonsillitis.
• To identify the presence of C. trachomatis in patients diagnosed with tonsillitis.
• To explore potential transmission routes, including orogenital contact.

Main Methods:

• Case series describing six patients with tonsillitis.
• Microbiological analysis of tonsillar crypts for C. trachomatis.
• Urogenital swab testing for C. trachomatis in patients and their sexual partners.
• Collection of sexual history, focusing on orogenital contact.

Main Results:

• Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from the tonsillar crypts of all six patients.
• C. trachomatis was also detected in urogenital swabs from five of the six patients.
• Three sexual partners of the patients were infected with C. trachomatis.
• All infected partners reported orogenital sexual contact prior to the illness onset.

Conclusions:

• Sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis can be a cause of tonsillitis.
• Orogenital sexual contact is a likely route for transmission of C. trachomatis to the tonsils.
• This finding highlights the importance of considering STIs in the differential diagnosis of tonsillitis, especially in at-risk populations.