title: The association between vitamin D levels and recurrent group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the association between recurrent group A streptococcal (GAS) tonsillopharyngitis and serum 25-hydroxy (25(OH)) vitamin D among adult subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult patients with tonsillopharyngitis between January 2007 and December 2009 were reviewed and identified retrospectively. Cases with a medical history of recurrent GAS tonsillopharyngitis were compared to age- and gender-matched individuals without a medical history of GAS tonsillopharyngitis. Recurrent tonsillopharyngitis was defined as three or more episodes of GAS tonsillopharyngitis per year for a period of two consecutive years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-four cases with recurrent GAS tonsillopharyngitis and 50 controls were enrolled. There were no significant differences between cases and controls with regard to mean age (41 ± 13 vs. 42 ± 12 years; p=0.7) and male gender (55% vs. 54%; p=0.6). Mean serum levels of 25(OH) vitamin D among subjects with recurrent GAS tonsillopharyngitis were significantly lower from the controls (11.5 ng/ml ± 4.7 vs. 26 ng/ml ± 7; p=0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that a serum 25(OH) vitamin D level <20 ng/ml was associated with recurrent GAS tonsillopharyngitis (odds ratio 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.51-1.76; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate a link between vitamin D deficiency and the recurrence of GAS tonsillopharyngitis.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease Unit, Holy Family Hospital, Nazareth, Israel. w.nseir@yahoo.com
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Nseir
authors: Julnar
authors: J
authors: Mograbi
authors: Zuhair
authors: Z
authors: Abu-Rahmeh
authors: Mahmud
authors: M
authors: Mahamid
authors: Omar
authors: O
authors: Abu-Elheja
authors: Adel
authors: A
authors: Shalata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012008:Recurrence; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D