title: [Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in recurrent tonsillitis].
abstract: Recurrent tonsillitis has been the subject of frequent investigation. Misuse of antibiotic therapy in acute tonsillitis, changes to the tonsillar microflora, structural changes to the tonsillar crypts, and viral infections have been listed as predisposing or causal factors for recurrent tonsillitis. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection usually occurs in early childhood and may persist in tonsillar lymphocytes, thus leading to the onset of recurrent tonsillitis. Little is known about the persistence and reactivation of EBV strains in immunocompetent patients. Methods such as in situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunochemistry have been used to study the pathogenesis of the EBV.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  this study aims to characterize the association between EBV and recurrent tonsillitis by investigating the presence of EBV through PCR and immunohistochemistry, using viral protein LMP-1 as a target.
  
  
  METHODS
  this is a cross-sectional study with analysis of sample prevalence.
  
  
  METHODS
  twenty-four paraffin-embedded tonsil specimens from the Pathology Service were selected. The specimens were removed from children aged between 2 and 12 years diagnosed with recurrent tonsillitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EBV genome was detected in 13 (54.1%) specimens, whereas viral protein LMP-1 was found in 9 (37.5%) specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  children's tonsils can be colonized by EBV and such colonies may be associated with the pathogenesis of recurrent tonsillitis.
authors.affiliation: Departamento Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina.
authors.forename: Eliane Pedra
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Monica Lage da
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Maria Odete de Oliveira
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Lidia Maria da Fonte de
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Amorim
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012008:Recurrence; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins