Analysis of the tonsillar microbiome in young adults with sore throat reveals a high relative abundance of Fusobacterium necrophorum with low diversity.

ABSTRACT: Fusobacterium necrophorum (Fn), a gram-negative anaerobe, is increasingly implicated as an etiologic agent in older adolescents and young adults with sore throat. Inadequately treated Fn pharyngitis may result in suppurative complications such as peritonsillar abscess and Lemierre's syndrome. Data from the literature suggest that the incidence of life-threating complications in these age groups from Fn pharyngitis (Lemierre's syndrome) in the United States exceeds those associated with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (acute rheumatic fever). Using real-time PCR, we previously reported about a 10% prevalence of Fn in asymptomatic medical students and about 20% in students complaining of sore throat at a university student health clinic (p = 0.009). In this study, a co

SUBMITTER: Atkinson TP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5774679 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature