Invasive group A streptococcal infection after tonsillectomy

Subcutaneous and Mediastinal Emphysema Followed by Group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococci Mediastinitis. A Complicated Course after Adenotonsillectomy: Case Report

Tonsillectomy is a commonly performed surgery in the daily practice of an otorhinolaryngologist. For patients as well as health professionals, the best known complication is post-operative bleeding. Among the less noted, but potentially life-threatening, complications are the development of subcutaneous emphysema and the presence of bacteremia due to group A hemolytic streptococci. In this report, we describe a severely complicated clinical course after an uncomplicated adenotonsillectomy in a young boy. Increased awareness of relatively unknown complications after adenotonsillectomy amongst surgeons, pediatricians and anesthesiologists is desirable to facilitate rapid diagnosis and adequate treatment in order to prevent life-threatening situations.

Invasive group A Streptococcus resulting in sepsis and abdominal wall abscess after adenotonsillectomy

Systemic infectious complications following adenotonsillectomy are exceedingly rare. We describe an otherwise healthy 2-year-old patient who developed group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus sepsis and presumptive scarlet fever 3 days after an uncomplicated adenotonsillectomy. After resolution of fever, rash, and discharge home on antibiotics, the patient returned on postoperative day 10 with an abdominal wall abscess. This is the first reported case of an abdominal wall abscess as a complication of adenotonsillectomy. This case demonstrates that an awareness of unexpected infectious complications of adenotonsillectomy should be a part of postsurgical management. Laryngoscope, 125:1230-1232, 2015.

Posttonsillectomy bacteremia and comparison of tonsillar surface and deep culture

Objective. This study aimed to identify the microorganisms of surface and depth of tonsils and whether these microorganisms bring the menace of bacteremia during tonsillectomy in the children under surgery. Materials and Methods. The culture specimens were taken from surface and depth of tonsil from the patients suffering from chronic tonsillitis at the time of operation. Also, 10 mL venous blood samples were taken 5 minutes before and after the operation for microbiological study. Results. According to the results, 112 (76.1%) and 117 (79.6%) cultures from surface and depth of tonsils represented multiple microorganisms, respectively. Besides, staphylococci coagulase positive was the most common organism in both surface and depth of tonsils. None of the preoperation blood cultures were positive, while 3 postoperation blood cultures (2.1%) were positive. Staphylococci coagulase negative and alpha hemolytic streptococcus were detected in 2 cases (1.4%) and 1 case (0.7%), respectively. Conclusion. In the present study, the two cultured sites were almost similar regarding the types of isolated microorganisms. Our results suggested that bacteremia might occur after tonsillectomy. Therefore, to avoid the possible dramatic outcomes after tonsillectomy, pre- and postoperation attendances are essential.

A Comparison of group A Streptococcus versus Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia

BACKGROUND

St reptococcus pyogenes is an uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children. Further, its clinical course in comparison to pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumonia has not been previously highlighted.

METHODS

We reviewed medical records of children 0-18 years of age from April 1983 to April 2005, with discharge diagnoses of invasive disease caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) (Streptococcus pyogenes), or Streptococcus pneumonia (SP) or pneumonia. Data were extracted from the charts, and a comparison of clinical characteristics between the 2 etiologies was performed. Confirmed disease required blood or pleural fluid isolates. Patients with single isolates of GAS in tracheobronchial secretions or sputum were classified as having presumed disease caused by GAS. Patients with confirmed disease due to GAS and SP were compared with respect to clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Of 103 patients with invasive GAS disease, 12 (11.6%) had confirmed GAS lobar pneumonia. In addition 7 patients had presumed GAS pneumonia. There were 54 patients with confirmed SP pneumonia. Most children who had GAS pneumonia were healthy and recovered completely. Compared with patients with confirmed SP pneumonia, those with confirmed GAS pneumonia had more frequent and larger effusions, more culture positive effusions, had prolonged fever, and had longer hospitalizations. There was not an increasing trend to GAS pneumonia over the 22-year period. There was not a predominant serotype responsible for the pneumonias.

CONCLUSIONS

Lobar GAS pneumonia represents approximately 11% of all cases of invasive disease in this institution during a 22-year period. Compared with patients with SP pneumonia, it appears to cause more effusions and morbidity. The organism is also more frequently recovered from pleural fluid.