The most common pathogen in bacterialpharyngotonsillitis is group A β-hemolytic streptococcus, although groups B, C, F,and G have also been associated with pharyngotonsillitis.
To assess the levels of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-6,IL-4, and IL-10 in bacterial pharyngotonsillitis caused by group A and non-A(groups B, C, F and G) β-hemolytic streptococcus.
Thestudy was conducted at a pediatric emergency care unit. The sample comprised children(5-9 years old) with acute bacterial pharyngotonsillitis diagnosed between December of 2011and May of 2012. The research involved collection of blood samples from thepatients, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection of TNF-α, IL-6,IL-4, and IL-10, and collection of two oropharyngeal swabs for bacterial isolation. Additionally, themedical history of the study participants was also collected.
In the studied group (mean age: 5.93 years), higher pharyngotonsillitis incidencewas observed in the female gender (64.76%). Higher incidence of tonsillar exudateswas observed with groups A and C. No statistically significant differences incytokine levels were observed among groups. However, the group A and the control group showed a differencein the IL-6 level (p=0.0016).
The Groups A and C showed higher cytokine levels thanthe Groups B and control, suggesting similar immunological patterns.