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Objective --To investigate whether the tonsillar flora differ in children with and without adenotonsillar disease. Material and Methods --Tonsil surface swabs were taken from 218 children indicated for adenotonsillectomy because of moderate symptoms of recurrent tonsillopharyngitis or adenotonsillar hypertrophy (T+Ads group). Control swabs were taken from 100 children without symptoms of adenotonsillar disease who visited the ophthalmology clinic. Potential respiratory pathogens were identified. Results --Potential respiratory pathogens were found in 54% of the T+Ads group, compared to 41% of the control group ( p =0.04). Haemophilus influenzae was the commonest pathogen in both groups, being found in 41% of the T+Ads group and 34% of the control group. Moraxella catarrhalis was found more often in the T+Ads group compared to the control group: 7% vs 0% ( p =0.004). H. influenzae was found in 32% of the children with recurrent tonsillitis, compared to 48% of the children with symptoms of tonsillar hypertrophy ( p =0.03). Conclusions --The prevalence of potential respiratory pathogens on the tonsillar surface of children with moderate symptoms of recurrent tonsillopharyngitis and/or tonsillar hypertrophy differs only slightly from that in children without symptoms of adenotonsillar disease. Variations in the microbial flora do not seem to play an essential role in the predisposition of these children to tonsillar disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective--To compare demographic and disease-specific characteristics of children included in a trial of the effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy with those of children who although eligible, were not randomized. Material and Methods--Characteristics were compared between (i) randomized children (n=270): (ii) eligible children whose parents immediately decided no to participate (n=243): and (iii) eligible children whose parents were informed about the trial by a member of study team but did not give their informed constant for participation in the trial (n=406]. Results-- Statistically significant but relatively small differences were observed between the groups. Notably, breathing difficulties at night and abnormal appearance of the tonsils were more prevalent among eligible children whose parent immediately refused participation in the trial than in the other two groups. In contrast, cervical lymphadenopathy and previous ENT surgery were less prevalent among eligible children whose parents immediately refused participation in the trail. Conclusion: Fex and relatively small differences were observed randomized and eligible, non-randomized children. The trial population appears to be representative of the relevant patient domain, i.e. children currently undergoing adenotonsillectoy in The Netherland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]