SEARCH RESULTS FOR: tonsillitis

Tonsillitis: Pathogenesis and clinical findings

Tonsillitis: Pathogenesis and clinical findings Group A Streptococci (GAS) infection1,2 Authors: Amanda Marchak Reviewers: Nicola Adderley Jim Rogers Danielle Nelson* * MD at time of publication Viral pathogen1 5-15 years3 Pathogen colonizes the nasopharynx Pathogen colonizes oropharynx4 ** ↑ vascular permeability Leakage of protein and fluid into surrounding tissue Inflammatory cytokine release Inadvertent cellular injury and hemolysis Tonsillar petechiae and erythema Systemic inflammatory cytokines disrupt hypothalamic regulation Fever White blood cell (WBC) activation WBCs infiltrate site of infection WBCs kill pathogen Accumulation and deposition of cellular debris and products of inflammatory response Tonsillar exudate Note: *When GAS is the pathogen, cytokine release and WBC activation is secondary to the release of exotoxins by GAS. Swelling and irritation ↑ lymph drainage to regional nodes Enlarged anterior cervical nodes Cough Note: It is extremely important to distinguish between viral tonsillitis and bacterial tonsillitis. Viral tonsillitis is usually self-limited while GAS tonsillitis can be associated with a number of complications. Notes: Tonsillar tissue Tonsillar edema Nasal tissue6 Nasal congestion Coryza Nasal discharge irritates back of throat Complications5: Peritonsillar abscess, neck abscess, otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia, scarlet fever, bacteremia, osteomyelitis, meningitis, arthritis, erythema nodosum, hepatitis, acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and toxic shock syndrome 1. In general, viral tonsillitis is more common than GAS infection. However, in the absence of cough and coryza (acute, isolated tonsillitis), GAS is more common. 2. While GAS is the most bacterial cause of tonsillitis, it can be caused by other pathogens. 3. GAS tonsillitis is most common in patients of this age group although, rarely, it can occur in adults. 4. When GAS colonizes the oropharynx, the primary location of infection determines how it’s identified. • tonsils primarily effected = tonsillitis • pharynx (throat) primarily effected = pharyngitis (See slide on Group A Streptococci Pharyngitis: Pathogenesis and Clinical Findings) • both = pharyngotonsillitis 5. The listed complications are the result of exotoxins entering systemic circulation or the bacterial infection extending beyond the tonsils. 6. While viral tonsillitis tends to be associated with more upper respiratory tract symptoms, clinical signs and symptoms are NOT reliable for diagnosing GAS tonsillitis. Throat swab or rapid antigen detection test are the standards for diagnosis. Legend: Pathophysiology Mechanism Sign/Symptom/Lab Finding Complications Published November 5, 2018 on www.thecalgaryguide.com