The Incidence and Histopathology of Tuberculosis of the Tonsils

Abstract

An unusual opportunity to study the less common pathologic changes in the tonsil has been afforded in the department of pathology of the University of Michigan through the practice of making routine histologie examinations of all tonsils received from the University Hospitals. This material now represents approximately 9,000 cases. This is a far larger series than has been reported from the standpoint of a microscopic study hitherto, and lends itself to quantitative analysis with the prospect of yielding much more accurate results, within the limitations of the data considered, than the smaller numbers forming the basis of previous studies.While tuberculosis occurs in but a small percentage of the tonsils

Routine Histologic Examination is Unnecessary for Tonsillectomy or Adenoidectomy

“…Tuberculosis is an uncommon tonsillar process, although higher prevalence was documented in the first half of the last century. Articles from the 1920s quote rates between 2% and 5% 2–6 . Magee noted a decreased prevalence of tonsillar tuberculosis from 2.35% in the years 1906 to 1919 to 0.44% in the years 1933 to 1935 7 .…”

Tonsillar lesions in white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) naturally infected withMycobacterium bovis

“…Further research is needed to define the precise role of the tonsils in ruminant tuberculosis. Tonsillar lesions were once common in people with tuberculosis, and were thought to be a primary site of infection (Weller 1921, Anim and Dawlatly 1991). However, the prevalence of these lesions in people has decreased dramatically as the consumption of unpasteurised milk has become less common (Lugton and others 1999).…”

A Study of Dysentery in the Field.

“…Films were always made from the splenic pulp, and from the site of inoculation or any other suspicious lesion which existed. Three explanations of this failure are possible : (1) the tubercle bacilli, being very few in number, were lost in the manipulations of centrifugation, &c. ; ; (2) the lymphoid tissue had effectively dealt with invading tubercle bacilli ; 3) the tubercle bacilli were of low virulence (? bovine).…”