title: In situ localization of Streptococcus pyogenes during acute tonsillitis: an immunocytochemical study with gold markers.
abstract: Epithelial cells were harvested from the surface of the palatine tonsils of seven patients with current acute tonsillitis, proven culture-positive for Streptococcus pyogenes. The epithelial cells harboured attached bacteria, which expressed positive affinity to gold-labelled antiserum to S. pyogenes. The gold particles adhered selectively to the bacterial capsules. The microorganisms were held in place by projections protruding from the epithelial cells, which were in close contact with the pili of the bacteria. In some areas, positive immunogold-labelled bacteria intermingled with bacteria lacking such labelling. None of the culture-negative controls harboured epithelial cells with positive immunogold-labelled bacteria. Orally administered phenoxymethylpenicillin caused a significant reduction in both culture-positive S. pyogenes and bacteria displaying positive coating with specific gold-labelled antiserum to S. pyogenes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fredriksen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Myklebust
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Räisänen
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Stenfors
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010404:Penicillin V / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010404:Penicillin V