SELECTIVE ATTACHMENT OF BETA-HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI GROUP-A TO OROPHARYNGEAL EPITHELIUM IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

Localization and semiquantification of beta-haemolytic streptococci, G roup A (GABHS), GABHS attachment and general bacterial attachment to e pithelial cells (bacterial number and morphology) were studied during GABHS-positive acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis infections and among healthy GABHS carriers. Samples were collected from various areas of t he oropharynx (palatine tonsils, posterior oropharyngeal wall, palatog lossal arch and buccal mucosa). During acute tonsillitis and pharyngit is, GABHS grew in samples obtained from the palatine tonsils and poste rior oropharyngeal wall. The ratio of GABHS colonies to other aerobic colonies increased, and GABHS became attached to epithelial cells of b oth palatine tonsils and posterior oropharyngeal wall. In GABHS carrie rs, GABHS were found mainly on the palatine tonsils, but these microor ganisms were not attached to the epithelium. Overall bacterial attachm ent to tonsillar and oropharyngeal epithelial cells increased during a ctive tonsillitis and pharyngitis.