Interfering alpha-streptococci as a protection against recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis in children

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 1993 Jan;25(1-3):141-8. doi: 10.1016/0165-5876(93)90047-7.

Abstract

Recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis/pharyngitis is a great problem, especially in certain epidemiological situations. Patients treated with antibiotics often have a disturbed normal throat flora and may lack, e.g., alpha-streptococci known in vitro to have an interfering activity against group A streptococci. Thirty-one patients with recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis were given antibiotics for 10 days. At the end of this treatment they were sprayed in their mouths with four selected alpha-streptococcal strains known to have strong growth inhibiting activity in vitro against most beta-streptococci group A. The follow-up period after this colonization was 3 months. After alpha-streptococcal treatment, none of the patients attracted a new tonsillitis during the follow-up period while 8% of the controls had a second tonsillitis. Treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis/pharyngitis with antibiotics followed by recolonization with alpha-streptococci seems to hinder further recurrences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Erythromycin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Penicillin V / therapeutic use
  • Pharynx / microbiology*
  • Recurrence
  • Streptococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / growth & development*
  • Streptococcus sanguis*
  • Time Factors
  • Tonsillitis / epidemiology
  • Tonsillitis / microbiology*
  • Tonsillitis / prevention & control

Substances

  • Erythromycin
  • Penicillin V