Agranulocytic tonsillitis is the most dangerous form of the disease, which often leads to death. The main symptoms of this pathology are pyrethic fever, pain when swallowing, increased salivation, regional lymphadenopathy, the occurrence of ulcers and necrosis in the oral cavity.
Agranulocytic tonsillitis - what is it
There are a number of factors that provoke this disease. Most often, a primary infection arises amid weakening of the protective properties of the immune system. All kinds of bacteria, fungi and viruses, accumulating in the oral cavity, form focal inflammation. After some time, in the absence of the necessary treatment, damage to the internal organs occurs.
Much less often, agranulocytic angina is the result of existing pathologies. At the same time, it is quite difficult to find the real cause of the disease.
In order for the therapy to be truly effective, a qualified specialist should be involved in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Self-selection of medicines and diagnosis is often erroneous and causes negative consequences.
Ulcerative necrotic neoplasms in the oral cavity and tonsils can be either an advanced stage of simple bacterial tonsillitis, or a disease provoked by a change in blood structure.
Features
If during the examination in the biological fluid a decrease or complete absence of granulocytes is detected, the diagnosis of agranulocytic tonsillitis is made. In this situation, the body cannot control the number of opportunistic microflora in the upper part of the respiratory apparatus, as a result of which the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria occurs and the inflammatory process begins.
The disease is not classified as a separate form of angina, calling it a syndrome of several ailments. It is impossible to differentiate the symptoms of this disease from other varieties of tonsillitis without the use of laboratory tests. Depending on the type of pathogen agranulocytic tonsillitis, the process can be viral, fungal or bacterial.
Causes of the disease
Actually, a prerequisite for the development of the disease is the defeat of the tonsils and nearby tissues with an infection against a background of a deficiency of granulocytes in the blood, which provide the body's immune responses.
Agranulocytic tonsillitis can occur when infected with many types of infections - for the most part pathogenic viruses, streptococci and staphylococci. All the prerequisites for the development of granulocyte deficiency can be divided into two categories.
- Myelotoxic - conditions that have a toxic effect on cells from which granular leukocytes directly exit. This effect can bring some medications, ionizing radiation, many chemical compounds. These drugs include cytostatics and beta-lactam antibiotics. As for chemicals, the body is negatively affected: mercury, benzene, insecticides, arsenic.
- Autoimmune - conditions that lead to the launch of complex reactions in the body. In this condition, he begins to perceive his own cells as strangers, and destroy them. In this situation, granulocytes also come under attack. There are a lot of factors that are the trigger for autoimmune processes. These include, first and foremost, autoimmune diseases, infectious pathologies and medications that are capable of affecting like haptens. With regard to diseases, most often the development of such a form of angina leads to: malaria, viral hepatitis, mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus infection, typhoid fever. Medications that can mimic inferior antibodies are sulfonamides and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Among other things, severe allergic reactions, hormonal effects and bone marrow deformation due to exposure to toxins can lead to agranulocytosis.
Types of disease
There are several varieties of pathology:
- myelotoxic - bone marrow disease;
- idiopathic - agranulocytic tonsillitis with an etiology of an uncertain type;
- immune - damage to cells by antibodies.
Most pathology affects women in old age.
Symptomatology
The disease can occur in fulminant, subacute and acute form. Moreover, in adult patients, the following can be observed:
- an increase in pain in the pharynx as the disease progresses;
- the acute form of the disease is accompanied by severe fever;
- increased work of the salivary glands;
- the appearance of a putrid odor from the oral cavity;
- ulceration in focal zones;
- gradual spread of ulcerative necrotic neoplasms from the tonsils to the oral cavity;
- the onset of general toxicosis;
- there are signs of gingivitis and stomatitis, probably inflammation of the tongue;
- in case of ignoring the onset of the disease, injury to the bone tissue begins.
At an advanced stage, the infection can spread to the lower parts of the respiratory apparatus and digestive tract.
In the photo of agranulocytic tonsillitis, external signs of pathology can be seen. Knowledge of the visual manifestations of the disease will help to detect it in time, even in the initial stages of development.
Features of the course in children
In this age category, agranulocytic tonsillitis can be acquired or congenital. The signs of the disease are very similar to the symptoms of the development of pathology in adults. However, the clinical picture of the disease in children is actually much more pronounced, and its complications are extremely dangerous. To all the symptoms described are added:
- inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity;
- fainting state;
- rave;
- gastrointestinal disorders - bloating, vomiting, bloody diarrhea;
- conjunctivitis.
Diagnostics
When symptoms of agranulocytic tonsillitis occur, the patient is delivered either to the hematological or infectious ward. During the initial consultation, a specialist can clarify the limitation of the appearance of signs, the presence of chronic pathologies and the names of the medicines used.
After a detailed examination of the larynx, additional examinations may be required:
- general blood test - with this disease, a decrease or absence of granular leukocytes is observed;
- urinalysis - protein, red blood cells and white blood cells may be present in the urethra;
- swab from the throat is necessary to determine the causative agents of the disease;
- serological techniques are required to evaluate immune responses;
- marrow puncture;
- ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity;
- an antibioticogram is needed to determine drugs that are effective in therapy;
- chest x-ray.
Among other things, this form of angina must be differentiated with some ailments:
- acute leukemia;
- scurvy;
- typhoid fever;
- peptic ulcerous tonsillitis;
- malaria.
Agranulocytic tonsillitis treatment
General principles of therapy are to comply with bed rest, refusing heavy meals, drinking plenty of fluids and meeting all the requirements of a doctor.
Drug treatment is primarily aimed at normalizing the functioning of the bone marrow. In addition, it is extremely important to get rid of the emerging infection. Approximately a month, the patient is treated according to a certain scheme:
- sodium nucleic acid is injected intravenously to stimulate the production of leukocytes;
- glucocorticosteroids are used to inhibit the work of antibodies;
- granulocyte production activators;
- blood transfusion;
- the use of antimicrobials - penicillin and ampicillin;
- cortisol injections;
- to get rid of bleeding in some cases, "Vikasol" or calcium chloride;
- vitamin complexes, mainly trace elements of groups C and B;
- local ulcer therapy involves rinsing and treating the mucous membranes and focal zones directly with the appropriate ointments, furacilin, potassium permanganate and soda;
- necrotic tissue is removed promptly under general or local anesthesia;
- in advanced stages of angina, bone marrow transplantation may be required.
ethnoscience
It is impossible to completely get rid of agranulocytic tonsillitis with home remedies. However, as an additional therapy after the completion of the acute stage of the disease, you can use alternative recipes to more quickly obtain a positive result.
- Aloe leaves must be cleaned of the outer film and for half an hour hold them by the cheeks. The plant disinfects the oral cavity, helping to remove pus.
- Rinsing with beetroot or potato juice can reduce inflammation of the larynx.
- You can take advantage of hot inhalations based on medicinal herbs - thyme, chamomile, sage, St. John's wort, marigold.
- Onions and garlic prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Recipes with honey help to enhance the protective properties of the immune system.
It is worth saying that rinsing and inhalation can bring a positive effect exclusively with systematic use.
Likely Consequences
If pathology is ignored and treatment is rejected, the risk of developing serious complications is extremely high. Since the causes of agranulocytic tonsillitis lie in the infectious nature, the diseases provoked by it have typical symptoms. So, a running pathology can cause the occurrence of:
- peritonitis;
- hepatitis A;
- mediastinitis;
- impaired mental development in children;
- sepsis;
- pneumonia;
- damage to the genitourinary system;
- toxic shock.
Prevention
Since the exact causes of agranulocytic tonsillitis are still unknown until the end, there are no special measures to prevent the disease. However, experts still recommend:
- refrain from contact with a variety of toxins;
- control the quality of consumed products;
- Do not exceed the permissible dosages of potent medicines;
- comply with the rules of oral hygiene.
It is best to refuse close communication with carriers of infection, since the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. In stationary conditions, the victim is isolated from surrounding people. At the same time, the ward and household items used by the patient are systematically disinfected.