Detection of Helicobacter pylori using Giemsa staining in chronic tonsillitis patients: cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a well-known bacteria that is recognized as the most prevalent infection in humans and is present in the majority of people in the world.

Aim

To investigate the presence of an extragastric reservoir of Helicobacter pylori in tonsillectomy specimens to ascertain whether it is an etiologic factor in the development of chronic tonsillitis.

Subjects and methods

The study included 100 patients of both sexes with chronic tonsillitis who visited the ENT (ear, nose, and throat) outpatient department and tested positive for H. pylori antigen in stool and tonsillectomy materials. Giemsa stain was used. The population was patients with chronic tonsillitis who had been diagnosed based on physical examination and history-taking at the (Oto-Rhino-Laryngology) outpatient clinic.

Results

It is shown that patients with positive H. pylori had considerably more acute tonsillitis attacks per year than those with negative H. pylori. Examining the patients with Giemsa modification staining revealed 40% of them to be positive.

Conclusion

H. pylori was found in the tonsil tissue of 40% of the patients with chronic tonsillitis using the Giemsa modification staining method, suggesting that H. pylori may be contributing etiologic factors in the development of chronic tonsillitis.