title: Evaluation of cytokines produced by β-hemolytic streptococcus in acute pharyngotonsillitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most common pathogen in bacteria lpharyngotonsillitis is group A β-hemolytic streptococcus, although groups B, C, F,and G have also been associated with pharyngotonsillitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the levels of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-6,IL-4, and IL-10 in bacterial pharyngotonsillitis caused by group A and non-A (groups B, C, F and G) β-hemolytic streptococcus.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at a pediatric emergency care unit. The sample comprised children (5-9 years old) with acute bacterial pharyngotonsillitis diagnosed between December of 2011 and May of 2012. The research involved collection of blood samples from the patients, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection of TNF-α, IL-6,IL-4, and IL-10, and collection of two oropharyngeal swabs for bacterial isolation. Additionally, the medical history of the study participants was also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the studied group (mean age: 5.93 years), higher pharyngotonsillitis incidence was observed in the female gender (64.76%). Higher incidence of tonsillar exudates was observed with groups A and C. No statistically significant differences in cytokine levels were observed among groups. However, the group A and the control group showed a difference in the IL-6 level (p=0.0016).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Groups A and C showed higher cytokine levels than the Groups B and control, suggesting similar immunological patterns.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: sydneyleao@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Sydney Correia
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Leão
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Biology (PROBP-UFS), Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ivanna Oliveira
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Biology (PROBP-UFS), Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hertaline Menezes do Nascimento
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Biology (PROBP-UFS), Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tania Maria de Andrade
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D007378:Interleukins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: Citosinas; Cytokines; Faringite; Pharyngitis; Streptococcus