Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2007 Jul;50(7):616-621.

Is Helicobacter Pylori the Pathogen of Chronic Tonsillitis?

• Nam JK
• Park KC
• Kwon JK
• Park HH
• Choi HJ
• Lee JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tonsillar tissue is a component of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), which has evolved to protect vulnerable mucosal surfaces. Helicobacter pylori, implicated as an etiological factor in duodenal ulcer and gastritis, induces the appearance of lymphoid aggregates in the stomach. Therefore, we investigate the possibility that tonsils can be extragastric reservoir and target tissue for H. pylori.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Campylobacter-Like Organism (CLO) test and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis for H. pylori was performed on 98 patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Chronic tonsillitis group (62 patients) and controlled group (36 patients) were enrolled in this study. Tissue samples were collected from excised palatine tonsils. Two millimeter diameter tissue piece that had been obtained from palatine tonsil specimens were placed in the CLO test kit. Remnant tonsils were sent to the Department of Pathology for IHC analysis.
RESULTS
Using the CLO test, H. pylori was detected in 60 (61.2%) of the 98 patients, 39 (62.9%) of 62 in chronic tonsillitis group and 21 (58.3%) of 36 in control group. Using the IHC analysis, it was detected in 54 (55.1%) of the 98 patients, 35 (56.5%) of 62 in chronic tonsillitis group and 19 (52.8%) of 36 in control group. There are no significant differences between chronic tonsillitis group and control group with regard to both CLO & IHC analysis.
CONCLUSION
This result suggests that palatine tonsil represents an extragastric reservoir for H. pylori infection, but not a target tissue.

Keyword

Helicobacter Pylori; Tonsillitis

MeSH Terms

Duodenal Ulcer
Gastritis
Helicobacter pylori*
Helicobacter*
Humans
Lymphoid Tissue
Palatine Tonsil*
Pathology
Stomach
Tonsillectomy
Tonsillitis*