Evaluation of cytokines produced by β-hemolytic streptococcus in acute pharyngotonsillitis

• Published in: Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology 2015-07, Vol.81 (4), p.402-407
• Main Authors: Leão, Sydney Correia, Leal, Ivanna Oliveira, do Nascimento Rocha, Hertaline Menezes, Rodrigues, Tania Maria de Andrade
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child, Preschool; Citosinas; Cytokines; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Faringite; Female; Humans; Interleukins - biosynthesis; Male; Original; OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY; Pharyngitis; Pharyngitis - microbiology; Streptococcal Infections - microbiology; Streptococcus; Streptococcus - classification; Streptococcus - metabolism; Streptococcus pyogenes - immunology; Streptococcus pyogenes - metabolism; Tonsillitis - microbiology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - biosynthesis
• ISSN: 1808-8694; 1808-8686; 1808-8686
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.05.003

The most common pathogen in bacterial pharyngotonsillitis is group A β-hemolytic streptococcus, although groups B, C, F,and G have also been associated with pharyngotonsillitis. To assess the levels of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-6,IL-4, and IL-10 in bacterial pharyngotonsillitis caused by group A and non-A (groups B, C, F and G) β-hemolytic streptococcus. The study was conducted at a pediatric emergency care unit. The sample comprised children (5–9 years old) with acute bacterial pharyngotonsillitis diagnosed between December of 2011 and May of 2012. The research involved collection of blood samples from the patients, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection of TNF-α, IL-6,IL-4, and IL-10, and collection of two oropharyngeal swabs for bacterial isolation. Additionally, the medical history of the study participants was also collected. In the studied group (mean age: 5.93 years), higher pharyngotonsillitis incidence was observed in the female gender (64.76%). Higher incidence of tonsillar exudates was observed with groups A and C. No statistically significant differences in cytokine levels were observed among groups. However, the group A and the control group showed a difference in the IL-6 level (p=0.0016). The Groups A and C showed higher cytokine levels than the Groups B and control, suggesting similar immunological patterns. O patógeno mais comumente associado à faringotonsilite bacteriana é o estreptococo β-hemolíticodo grupo A, a despeito dos grupos B, C, F e G terem também sido associados coma faringotonsilite. Determinar os níveis das citosinas TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, e IL-10 na faringotonsilite bacteriana causada pelos estreptococos β-hemolíticos do grupo A e não-A (grupos B, C, F e G). O estudo foi conduzido em uma emergência pediátrica. A amostra estudada compreendeu crianças (entre 5 e 9 anos) com faringotonsilite aguda bacteriana diagnosticada entre dezembro de 2011 e maio de 2012. A pesquisa envolveu a coleta de amostras sanguíneas dos pacientes, a detecção, através do ELISA, de TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4 e IL-10, além da coleta de dois swabs orofaríngeos para isolamento bacteriano. Adicionalmente foi coletada a história médica dos participantes do estudo. No grupo estudado (idade média: 5,93 anos), a maior incidência de faringotonsilites foi observada no gênero feminino (64,76%). Foram detectadas maiores incidências de exsudatos tonsilares nos grupos A e C. Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes dos níveis de citosinas entre os grupo