Pathology Assistant, Federal University of São Paulo; Associated Researcher, Group of Molecular Anatomy, Federal University of Sergipe, São Paulo, BrazilBrazil
Also available as PDF (figures and tables appear in the PDF).
Tonsils and adenoids are part of the lymphoid system that surrounds the pharynx and are involved in humoral and cellular immunity. The tonsils are incomplete encapsulated ag-gregates of lymphoid nodules, arranged below and in contact with the epithelium of the initial portions of the digestive and respiratory tract. According to their location, they can be called: palatine, lingual and pharyngeal.
ISSN 2470-4059 http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/OTLOJ-1-105 Open Journal Opinion Pharyngotonsillitis: A Quick Review * *Corresponding author Sydney Correia Leao, MD * Pathology Assistant Sydney Correia Leao Federal University of São Paulo; Associated Researcher Pathology Assistant, Federal University of São Paulo; Associated Researcher, Group of Group of Molecular Anatomy Molecular Anatomy, Federal University of Sergipe, São Paulo, Brazil Federal University of Sergipe São Paulo, Brazil E-mail: sydneyleao@hotmail.com Tonsils and adenoids are part of the lymphoid system that surrounds the pharynx and Volume 1 : Issue 1 are involved in humoral and cellular immunity. The tonsils are incomplete encapsulated ag- Article Ref. #: 1000OTLOJ1105 gregates of lymphoid nodules, arranged below and in contact with the epithelium of the initial portions of the digestive and respiratory tract. According to their location, they can be called: palatine, lingual and pharyngeal. The tonsils are bilateral and are located at the boundary be- Article History th tween the oral cavity and oropharynx. Because of its location, these tonsils come into constant Received: November 17 , 2015 th contact with inhaled or swallowed microorganisms, becoming targets for infection. Accepted: November 19 , 2015 th Published: November 19th, 2015 Pharyngotonsillitis (PT) or Sore Throat (ST) is a self-limiting infection usually con- fined to the posterior pharynx, tonsils, soft palate and posterior lymph nodes of the lymphatic Citation ring of Waldeyer that drain into the posterior cervical region. The STs are transmitted from Leao SC. Pharyngotonsillitis: a quick person to person, and the nasopharynx and oropharynx are the main foci of microorganisms review. Otolaryngol Open J. 2015; 1(1): colonization.
18-19. doi: 10.17140/OTLOJ-1-105 The rate of acute PT incidence was recorded in a study carried out in Portugal by Simões, et al.3 The incidence of acute sore throat was 3,651.1/105 for the age group of 0 to 4 years; and 3,440.3/105 for the age group of 5 to 9 years and 2,020/105 for the age group of 10 to 14 years.
Sore throats are common in children, and in most cases they are viral. The most com- mon bacterial agent is β-hemolytic Group A Streptococcus (GAS) corresponding to 15% to 20% of cases in children and adolescents; although there are reports of an incidence not greater 4-6 than 10% in general population.4-6 However, some studies registered non-group A streptococcal (non-GAS) PT. In cul- tures of pharyngeal exudate, it was found other serogroups of ß-hemolytic streptococcus, such as B, C, F and G and there are reports of pharyngitis caused by these groups, especially the C 7-9 and G.7-9 Streptococcal PT, if not adequately treated, can lead to non-suppurative complications such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis, with high costs and high morbidity especially in developing countries such as Brazil.10 So the importance of knowing, studying and treating this disease better, is sometimes neglected.