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Human β-defensins—at the front line of the peritonsillar abscess

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Abstract

Antimicrobial proteins like human β-defensins 1-4 (hBD1-4) protect the surface of organs against different bacteria. Little is still known about these proteins within an abscess formation. The purpose of this study was to analyse and describe the distribution of the antimicrobial proteins hBD 1-4 within the peritonsillar abscess. A total of 17 peritonsillar abscesses were analysed. Immunhistochemical stainings were performed, characteristic pictures were taken, and the mean colour intensity was measured using a specific imaging software. A statistical analysis compared the areas of interest of the specific protein staining with the one of the control staining. A total of 4,573 areas of interests were measured. A significantly stronger expression was detected for hBD1 in the surface epithelium, crypt, epithelium of the crypt, lymphocytic cap, and abscess formation in the hBD1 staining in comparison to the control samples. But there was no significance in the specific hBD1-protein expression in comparison to the control samples in the lymphoid follicle and in the germinal centre. There was a significantly stronger hBD2, hBD3, and hBD4 expression in all areas of interest for the specifics stainings in comparison to the control samples. In conclusion, we developed different scenarios which could lead to a peritonsillar abscess formation.

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported by the Ruhr-University Bochum (FORUM). We would like to thank Mrs. S. Kanabey for helping with the stainings and the Institute of Pathology of the Ruhr-University of Bochum for providing us with the in formalin fixated tissues. We hereby declare that the experiments comply with the current laws of the country in which they were performed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Ruhr-University-Bochum, Bleichstr. 15, 44787, Bochum, Germany

    M. Schwaab, S. Hansen, M. D. Pearson, S. Shagdarsuren & S. Dazert

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  1. M. Schwaab
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  2. S. Hansen
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Correspondence to M. Schwaab.

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Schwaab, M., Hansen, S., Pearson, M.D. et al. Human β-defensins—at the front line of the peritonsillar abscess. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 28, 745–755 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-008-0695-z

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