In Vivo Attachment of Beta-haemolytic Streptococci to Tonsillar Epithelial Cells in Health and Disease

Abstract

Stenfors L-E. Räisänen S. in vivo attachment of beta-haemolytic streptococci to tonsillar epithelial cells in health and disease. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 1991; 111: 562-568.

In vivo attachment of beta-haemolytic streptococci Group a (GABHS) to the epithelial cells of the palatine tonsils was determined in 10 patients with current acute tonsillitis (AT-group) and in 10 healthy carriers of GABHS (C-group) according to a method described. Standard bacterial culture revealed growth of GABHS in both groups. in the AT-group, massive attachment of streptococcal chains to the tonsillar epithelium was noted. These chains proved positive for FITC-labelled antibodies against beta-haemolytic streptococci, and were only occasionally found in the C-group. the overall bacterial attachment was significantly greater in the AT-group than in the C-group (p<0.001). Phenoxymethylpenicillin treatment caused a dramatic decrease in the number of the attached GABHS bacteria within 24 h. Two weeks after completion of the penicillin treatment one individual in each group was still culture-positive for GABHS.

Key Words:

• acridine orange
• bacterial adherence
• tonsils
• inflammation