Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-x4r87 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T13:48:23.651Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Direct microscopy of effusions obtained from peritonsillar abscesses as a complement to bacterial culturing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Markus Lilja ,
Simo Räisänen ,
Kalevi Jokinen  and
Lars-Eric Stenfors
Markus Lilja
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Universities of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
Simo Räisänen
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Central Hospital of Keski-Pohjanmaa, Kokkola, Finland.
Kalevi Jokinen
Affiliation:
Department of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
Lars-Eric Stenfors*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Universities of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
*
Address for correspondence: Lars-Eric Stenfors, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital of Tromsø, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Effusion material was aspirated from 51 consecutive peritonsillar abscesses (34 male, 17 female; age range eight to 46 years) and subjected to direct microscopy after staining with acridine orange. Bacteria were counted per ml effusion material and their morphology was analyzed. In addition, aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culturing was performed. Effusions containing β-haemolytic streptococci Group A, which appeared as a single species, contained fewer bacteria (8 × 106 per ml, median value) than effusions harbouring a mixed flora (7 × 108 bacteria per ml, median value). Direct microscopy of effusions obtained from peritonsillar abscesses makes possible rapid identification of a single or mixed flora, which is of importance for the antibiotic treatment of the disease.

Keywords

BacteriologyTonsillitisInflammationAcridine orange
Type
Pathology in Focus
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 111 , Issue 4 , April 1997 , pp. 392 - 395
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Brook, I., Frazier, E. H., Thompson, D. H. (1991) Aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of peritonsillar abscess. Laryngoscope 101: 289–291.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brumfitt, W., Percival, A., Williams, J. D. (1973) Estimation of bacteria and white cells in the urine. Association of Clinical Pathology 8: 1–11.Google Scholar
Jokinen, K., Sipilä, P., Jokipii, A. M. M., Jokipii, L., Sorri, M. (1985) Peritonsillar abscess: bacteriological evaluation. Clinical Otolaryngology 10: 27–30.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jokipii, A. M. M., Jokipii, L., Sipilä, P., Jokinen, K. (1988) Semiquantitative culture results and pathogenic significance of obligate anaerobes on peritonsillar abscesses. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 2: 957–961.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jousimies-Somer, H., Savolainen, S., Mäkitie, A., Ylikoski, J. (1993) Bacteriologic findings in peritonsillar abscesses in young adults. Clinical Infectious Disease 16 (Suppl 4): 292–298.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kornblut, D. A. (1973) Non-neoplastic diseases of the tonsils and adenoids. In Otolaryngology (Paparella, M. M., Shumrick, D. A., eds.). W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, pp 277–295.Google Scholar
Mitchelmore, I. J., Prior, A. J., Montgomery, P. Q., Tabaqchali, S. (1995) Microbiological features and pathogenesis of peritonsillar abscesses. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 14: 870–877.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Räisanen, S., Merilä, M., Ylitalo, P., Pohja, P. (1986) Microscopic estimation of bacteria and cells in urine. I. Theoretical considerations. International Urology and Nephrology 18(3): 235–241.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Räisänen, S., Stenfors, L.-E. (1992) Bacterial quantification - a necessary complement for the comprehension of middle ear inflammations. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 23: 117–124.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stenfors, L. -E., Räisänen, S. (1988) Quantification of bacteria in middle ear effusions. Acta Otolaryngologica 106: 435–440.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sydney, M., Finegold, M. D. (1991) Role of anaerobic bacteria in infections of the tonsils and adenoids. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology Suppl. 154: 30–33.Google Scholar
Volk, W. A., Benjamin, D. C., Kadner, R. J., Parsons, J. T. (1986) The gram-positive pyogenic cocci. In Essentials of Medical Microbiology, 3rd Edition. J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, pp 359–381.Google Scholar