Adherent biofilms in adenotonsillar diseases in children.
OBJECTIVE
To study biofilm formation on the epithelial surfaces of tonsils and adenoids in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy (T&A).


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Tertiary academic hospital.


METHODS
Between September 2005 and August 2006, 76 patients (mean [SD] age, 5.7 [3.3] years; age range, 1-18 years; male-female ratio, 1.8:1) undergoing T&A to treat infection, obstruction, or both were included. Of these, 44 had obstruction (58%), 26 had infection (34%), and 6 had both (8%).


METHODS
Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess for the presence of biofilms.


METHODS
Presence of adherent biofilms on the surface epithelium of tonsils and adenoids.


RESULTS
Adherent biofilm formation was demonstrated in 46 patients (61%). Among 26 patients with infections, adherent biofilm formation was detected in 22 (85%), whereas in the group of 44 patients with obstruction only 18 were found to have biofilms (41%). Comparative analysis of the data revealed that the difference was statistically significant (P = .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Biofilms were identified on the surfaces of infected or enlarged tonsils and adenoids in most patients undergoing T&A. The presence of biofilms in a significantly higher proportion of patients with chronically inflamed tonsils and adenoids vs patients with obstruction indicates an association between the presence of biofilms and chronic inflammation.
Al-Mazrou
Khalid A
KA
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, PO Box 86118, Riyadh 11622, Saudi Arabia. kalmazrou@gmail.com
Al-Khattaf
Abdulaziz S
AS
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000234:Adenoids / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018441:Biofilms; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery