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Optimal site for throat culture: tonsillar surface versus posterior pharyngeal wall

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Abstract

To determine the optimal site of throat culture for the detection of potential pathogens by comparing culture results from the tonsillar surface and the posterior pharyngeal wall in children selected for adenotonsillectomy and in children without upper respiratory disease. Cotton culture swabs were taken from the tonsillar surface and the posterior pharyngeal wall of 50 children selected for adenotonsillectomy for symptoms of recurrent tonsillitis and/or adenotonsillar hypertrophy and of 50 children without upper respiratory disease. Potential respiratory pathogens were identified. In the overall group (n = 100), positive culture results were found in 67 posterior pharyngeal wall samples and 47 tonsillar surface samples (P = 0.001). Haemophilus influenzae was the most frequently isolated micro-organism both in the posterior pharyngeal wall and the tonsillar surface samples; 55 and 35%, respectively (P = 0.001). Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci were found in the samples of the posterior pharyngeal wall and the tonsillar surface in 17 and 13%, respectively (P = 0.2). When dealing with patients with sore throat, sampling both tonsillar surfaces is enough for the detection of group A beta-haemolytic streptococci. When detection of other bacteria is also important, such as for research purposes, the posterior pharyngeal wall should be sampled as well.

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Acknowledgements

We thank A. McArthur-Noom for the microbiologic determinations, P. N. van Eden for conscientious secretarial support, E. H. van den Akker for her contribution to data collection and I. van der Tweel for her statistical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology (E 04.140.5), Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    E. L. van der Veen, W. J. M. Videler & A. G. M. Schilder

  2. Department of Paediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    E. A. M. Sanders

  3. Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    B. K. van Staaij

  4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Center Apeldoorn, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    P. P. G. van Benthem

Authors
  1. E. L. van der Veen
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  2. E. A. M. Sanders
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  3. W. J. M. Videler
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  4. B. K. van Staaij
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  5. P. P. G. van Benthem
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  6. A. G. M. Schilder
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Correspondence to A. G. M. Schilder.

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van der Veen, E.L., Sanders, E.A.M., Videler, W.J.M. et al. Optimal site for throat culture: tonsillar surface versus posterior pharyngeal wall. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 263, 750–753 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-006-0046-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-006-0046-6

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