Detection of Epstein-Barr virus in tonsillar tissue of children and the relationship with recurrent tonsillitis

Recurrent tonsillitis has been the subject of much investigation. Events co nsidered to predispose to or cause recurrent tonsillitis (RT) include the m isuse of antibiotic therapy in acute bouts, alterations in the microflora, structural changes in crypt epithelium and certain viral infections. Epstei n-Barr Virus (EBV) infection usually occurs in early childhood and can pers ist in palatine tonsil lymphocytes to induce tonsillitis at a later date. W e have examined the presence of EBV in palatine tonsils in order to assess the relationship between this virus and recurrent acute tonsillitis. Tonsil s were obtained from 85 patients, 2-14 years old (mean 5.6 years old) who u nderwent tonsils and adenoid (T&A) removal because of recurrent tonsillitis (RT) or T&A hypertrophy (TH). Tissues specimens were processed for non-iso topic in situ hybridization (ISH) using EBER 1/2 oligonucleolides (EBER RNA ). The indications for surgery were RT in 42 patients and TH in 43 patients . In 25 out of 85 cases (29.4%) a positive EBER RNA reaction (15 RT and 33 TH) was found. The chi (2)-test showed no statistically significant differe nce in frequency of positive results between RT and TH group. We conclude t hat tonsils of children can be colonized by EBV and that the virus may be i mplicated in RT and TH. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Ail rights r eserved.