Recurrent tonsillitis is one of the commonest infections seen in clinical practice. Though we have abundant literature about the bacteriology of recurrent tonsillitis, it still remains an unresolved puzzle. The infection may arise from the bacteria within the substance of the tonsil rather than bacteria identified on the surface. This was a prospective study conducted on 80 samples, 40 each in paediatric and adult population, over a period of 12 months in a tertiary care hospital. Preoperative surface swabs and postoperative core swabs were sent for culture. The swab culture from the surface of the tonsils in adult population predominantly yielded normal flora followed by Staphylococcus aureus while those from the paediatric population showed an equal yield of Normal flora and Streptococcus pyogenes. The core cultures from adult population were mostly of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae while that of paediatric population was predominantly Streptococcus pyogenes. Staphylococcus aureus showed good sensitivity to Cephalosporins and Azithromycin. All were sensitive to Methicillin except one strain of MRSA. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes were sensitive to even the basic antibiotics like Ampicillin. The Gram negative bacteria showed varied sensitivity with more of resistance to first line antibiotics and showed the need of higher antibiotics like Imipenem and Amikacin. The study found differences in the surface and the core pathogens.

Keywords: Tonsillitis; Surface Swab Culture; Core Culture.