Are empiric antibiotics for acute exudative tonsillitis needed in children?
Journal
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Journal Volume
44
Journal Issue
5
Pages
328-332
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
HSIEH, TSUNG-HSUEH
CHEN, PO-YEN
HUANG, FANG-LIANG
WANG, JIAAN-DER
WANG, LI-CHING
LIN, HENG-KUEI
LIN, HSIAO-CHUAN
HSIEH, HSIN-YANG
YU, MENG-KUNG
CHANG, CHIH-FENG
CHUANG, TZU-YAO
Abstract
Background: Empiric antibiotics are frequently given for children with acute exudative tonsillitis. A few studies have investigated the causative agent of acute " exudative" tonsillitis in children to evaluate the necessity of antibiotic therapy. This study tried to explore the common causative agent of acute exudative tonsillitis among children. Methods: From April 2009 to March 2010, throat swabs were obtained and cultured for viruses and bacteria from children who visited the pediatric emergency rooms of two medical centers in central Taiwan with acute exudative tonsillitis. Demographic data and microbiological results were analyzed. Results: A total of 294 children with acute exudative tonsillitis were enrolled during the 1-year prospective study, and 173 (58.8%) of them were younger than 7 years. Group A streptococci were isolated from only three (1.0%) children, and they were all older than 6 years. A total of 143 viruses were isolated from 140 (47.6%) children. Adenovirus (18.7%) and enterovirus (16.3%) were the most common viral etiologies, followed by influenza virus (5.4%), parainfluenza virus (5.1%), herpes simplex virus Type 1 (2.7%), and respiratory syncytial virus (0.3%). Group A streptococcus only contributed to a minimal portion of acute exudative tonsillitis. Conclusion: Routine or immediate antibiotic therapy for acute exudative tonsillitis in children is not necessary. ? 2011.
Subjects
Acute exudative tonsillitis; Antibiotics; Children
SDGs
Other Subjects
antibiotic agent; acute exudative tonsillitis; Adenovirus; adolescent; antibiotic therapy; article; bacterium isolate; child; emergency ward; empiric antibiotic therapy; Enterovirus; female; groups by age; Herpes simplex virus 1; human; infant; Influenza virus; major clinical study; male; Parainfluenza virus; preschool child; prospective study; Respiratory syncytial pneumovirus; school child; Streptococcus group A; Taiwan; throat culture; tonsillitis; virus isolation; Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Utilization; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Pharynx; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Taiwan; Tonsillitis; Virus Diseases
Type
journal article