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Abstract Recurrent tonsillitis due to group A Beta—haeimlvtic streptococci refractory to penicillin therapy is a common problem in children. The failure of penicillin to eradicate the infection has been attributed in part to the emergence of Beta—lactamase producing aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria may protect not only themselves from penicillin, but also, through the release of the enzyme into their enviroment penicillin susceptible bacteria such as group A Beta- haemolytic streptococci. Effective treatment of the child with tonsilljtj depends on knowledge of the infecting organism (s). The practice of swabbing the surface of the tonsil as a culture specimen for determination of the bacteria responsible for the tonsiflar patholov may he misleading. Tonsi liar disease may stem from the bacteria within the substance of the tonsil rather than the bacteria identified or the surface. The aim of our work was to determine the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flor’a present in the t.onsillar surf ace arid core of surgically excised t.onsils and determining their in- vitro anti-microbial susceptihilitv. |