Bacteriological correlation between dental plaque and chronic tonsillitis

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the role of supragingival dental plaque bacteria as potential etiology of chronic tonsillitis. Materials and Methods: A total of sixty patients were part of the study. Among them, thirty patients had chronic tonsillitis and thirty patients had no tonsillitis. The age range was 3–12 years. Swab samples were obtained from dental plaque and tonsils to identify the bacterial flora. Identification methods included metabolic capability, microscopic reading, and biochemical reaction. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 18 software. Results: The bacteria isolated according to the prevalence in decreasing order of frequency were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus oralis, Candida albicans, and Peptostreptococcus. Statistical analysis conducted with SPSS 22 indicated that strains of bacteria present in the plaque are more likely to represent the bacteria in the tonsils, particularly S. pyogenes.Conclusion: Group A Streptococcus in dental plaque could possibly be a causative factor for chronic tonsillitis.