Relation between actinomycosis and histopathological and clinical features of the palatine tonsils : an Iranian experience

Abstract EN

Background : A ctinomycosis of the tonsils has been reported in a variable percentage of tonsil specimens by other authors.

This study determines the incidence of antinomies in the palatine tonsil and evaluates the clinical diagnoses and histopathologically features of tonsillectomy specimens.

Methods : in a retrospective study, 204 patients who had undergone tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis (group A) and for sleep apnea without a history of recurrent tonsillitis (group B) were enrolled.

Results : the prevalence rate was significantly higher in the adult compared with the pediatric population.

The prevalence of tensile actinomycetes colonization was higher in patients who had undergone tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis (43.9%) than in patients who had undergone tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea (26.3%).

The prevalence did not differ by sex of patient.

Histopathologically analysis of resected tonsils did not show active tissue infection.

There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of actinomy-cosis and age, with a greater occurrence of actinomycosis in adult patients.

Conclusion : Although antinomies colonization is more prevalent in patients with recurrent tonsillitis than sleep-disordered breathing, but the presence of antinomies does not indicate any active disease.