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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.
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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

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