IN-SITU LOCALIZATION OF STREPTOCOCCUS-PYOGENES DURING ACUTE TONSILLITIS - AN IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY WITH GOLD MARKERS

Epithelial cells were harvested from the surface of the palatine tonsi ls of seven patients with current acute tonsillitis, proven culture-po sitive for Streptococcus pyogenes. The epithelial cells harboured atta ched bacteria, which expressed positive affinity to gold-labelled anti serum to S. pyogenes. The gold particles adhered selectively to the ba cterial capsules. The microorganisms were held in place by projections protruding from the epithelial cells, which were in close contact wit h the pill of the bacteria. In some areas, positive immunogold-labelle d bacteria intermingled with bacteria lacking such labelling. None of the culture-negative controls harboured epithelial cells with positive immunogold-labelled bacteria. Orally administered phenoxymethylpenici llin caused a significant reduction in both culture-positive S. pyogen es and bacteria displaying positive coating with specific gold-labelle d antiserum to S. pyogenes.