title: The role of the actinomyces in obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy and recurrent tonsillitis in pediatric population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of tonsillar Actinomyces in subjects with recurrent tonsillitis and those with obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy, and to determine the association between the presence of Actinomyces and tonsillar volume, and crypt abscess.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective designed cross-sectional study consisted of 90 children subjects who underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy. The subjects of recurrent tonsillitis (Group A) and obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy (Group B) were compared to the presence of Actinomyces. The relationship between the presence of Actinomyces and the presence of crypt abscess, and tonsillar volume were also compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Actinomyces was found to be significantly more prominent in obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy group (61.5%) compared to recurrent tonsillitis group (26.6%) (p<0.001). Additionally, the mean tonsillar volume was significantly higher in tonsils with Actinomyces than those without (p<0.001). The histopathological study revealed that there was no significant inflammatory response to the existence of Actinomyces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the presented study, Actinomyces was seen more prominent in subjects with obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy compared those with recurrent tonsillitis. Furthermore Actinomyces had a pathological influence on tonsil size. This study showed there was a significant relation between Actinomyces and enlargement of tonsillar tissue. However, how causes tonsillar hypertrophy is not understood yet in tonsillar disease.
authors.affiliation: Ankara Atatürk Education and Research Hospital, ENT Department, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kutluhan
authors.forename: Mehti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvız
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yalçıner
authors.forename: Olcay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kandemir
authors.forename: Cemile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yeşil
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D000190:Actinomyces / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000150:complications*; D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery