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[Beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in recurrent childhood tonsillitis]
I De Miguel Martínez1, A Ramos Macías
1Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola
|February 10, 1999
Summary
Beta-lactamase producing bacteria are common in tonsillitis patients and healthy children, but do not fully explain penicillin treatment failure in recurrent tonsillitis cases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Recurrent tonsillitis is a common pediatric condition.
- Penicillin therapy failure occurs in a significant number of recurrent tonsillitis cases.
- Beta-lactamase production by pharyngeal flora is hypothesized to cause penicillin resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of beta-lactamase producing bacteria in children with recurrent tonsillitis.
- To determine if beta-lactamase production correlates with penicillin treatment failure in recurrent tonsillitis.
Main Methods:
- Tonsil cultures were performed on 40 children with recurrent tonsillitis before and after penicillin treatment.
- A control group of 22 healthy children also underwent tonsil culturing.
- Bacterial identification and beta-lactamase production were assessed.
Main Results:
- Beta-lactamase producing bacteria were found in 100% of tonsillitis patients and 86.4% of controls.
- Streptococcus pyogenes was present in 25% of tonsillitis patients.
- A 65% failure rate of penicillin therapy was observed in recurrent tonsillitis.
Conclusions:
- Beta-lactamase producing bacteria are highly prevalent in both healthy children and those with recurrent tonsillitis.
- The widespread presence of beta-lactamase producing organisms does not fully account for penicillin treatment failures in recurrent tonsillitis.
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