Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2011 Nov;54(11):778-783. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2011.54.11.778.

Analysis of Biofilms in Recurrent Tonsillitis Using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization: A Case-Control Study

• Kim DY
• Kim ST
• Gang IG
• Jung JH
• Park DW
• Woo JH

• KMID: 2277273
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2011.54.11.778

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Biofilm is an encased colony of bacteria and the bacteria with-in the biofilm have resistance to antibiotics and the humoral immune system. Biofilm is currently thought to play an important role and to be very refractory to conventional therapeutics. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the biofilm of the tonsil and recurrent tonsillitis with a case-control study.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
This is a case-control study. The case group included 31 patients who had histories of tonsillitis and the control group included 29 volunteers who had no history of tonsillitis. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was performed to identify biofilms. We compared the prevalence rates of biofilm between the 2 groups. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to identify bacteria, using probes for S. aureus, S. pyogenes, H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, and K. pneumonia.
RESULTS
In case group, biofilms were found in 22 (71.0%) of 31 and in control group, biofilms were found in 12 (41.4%) of 29. The prevalence rates of biofilm were significantly higher in case group (p=0.036). Twenty nine cases were enrolled in FISH and 12 cases of them were positive for FISH. S. aureus was most commonly identified.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that the biofilms could play a causative role in recurrent tonsillitis, further studies are needed to confirm pathogenic relation between biofilm and recurrent tonsillitis.

Keyword

Recurrent; Tonsillitis; Biofilm

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacteria
Biofilms
Case-Control Studies
Humans
Immune System
In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
Influenza, Human
Microscopy, Confocal
Palatine Tonsil
Pneumonia
Prevalence
Tonsillitis
Anti-Bacterial Agents