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The presence of biofilm-producing bacteria on tonsils is associated with increased exhaled nitric oxide levels: preliminary data in children who experience recurrent exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 February 2015

S Torretta ,
P Marchisio ,
L Drago ,
P Capaccio ,
E Baggi  and
L Pignataro
S Torretta*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
P Marchisio
Affiliation:
Department of Physiopathology and Transplantations, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
L Drago
Affiliation:
Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratory, IRCCS Galeazzi Hospital and Laboratory of Microbiology and Technological Sciences for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
P Capaccio
Affiliation:
Department of Surgical and Dental Biomedical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
E Baggi
Affiliation:
Department of Physiopathology and Transplantations, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
L Pignataro
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Sara Torretta, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milano, Italy Fax:+39 0250320248 E-mail: sara.torretta@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background:

It has been suggested that bacterial biofilms may be a causative factor in the aetiopathogenesis of chronic tonsillitis. Involvement of exhaled nitric oxide has been previously considered, with conflicting findings.

Objective:

A pilot study was performed to investigate the relationship between exhaled nitric oxide levels and the presence of tonsillar biofilm-producing bacteria in children with chronic tonsillitis.

Method:

Tonsillar biofilm-producing bacteria on bioptic specimens taken during tonsillectomy were assessed by means of spectrophotometry.

Results:

Analysis was based on 24 children aged 5–10 years (median, 7.5 years). Biofilm-producing bacteria were found in 40.9 per cent of specimens. The median exhaled nitric oxide level was 11.6 ppb (range, 3.2–22.3 ppb). There was a significant relationship between the presence of biofilm-producing bacteria and increased exhaled nitric oxide levels (p = 0.03). Children with exhaled nitric oxide levels of more than 8 ppb were at three times greater risk of developing tonsillar biofilm-producing bacteria than those with lower levels.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest the possibility of discriminating children with chronic biofilm-sustained tonsillar infections on the basis of exhaled nitric oxide levels.

Keywords

BiofilmTonsillitisNitric OxideChildren
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 3 , March 2015 , pp. 267 - 272
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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