COVID‑19 and peritonsillar abscess co‑infection: A case report

Tanaka,Akihisa; Mikami,Shinji; Kimura,Naomiki; Nakajima,Takashi; Imai,Takao; Kitahara,Tadashi

doi:10.3892/mi.2022.55

September-October 2022 Volume 2 Issue 5

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September-October 2022 Volume 2 Issue 5

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Case Report Open Access

COVID‑19 and peritonsillar abscess co‑infection: A case report

Authors:
- Akihisa Tanaka
- Shinji Mikami
- Naomiki Kimura
- Takashi Nakajima
- Takao Imai
- Tadashi Kitahara
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Department of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Bellland General Hospital, Sakai, Osaka 599‑8247, Japan, Department of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8522, Japan

Copyright: © Tanaka et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
Article Number: 30
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Published online on: October 4, 2022

https://doi.org/10.3892/mi.2022.55
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Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) generally presents with fever, shortness of breath and a sore throat. These symptoms are also common in oral and pharyngeal infections, such as peritonsillar abscess (PA). The present study describes a case of PA and COVID‑19 co‑infection. Although COVID‑19 was initially suspected in the patient due to the presenting symptoms of fever, sore throat, dysgeusia and dysosmia, an oral examination and computed tomography scan detected PA. The patient was conservatively managed with intravenous antibiotics without transoral drainage of the abscess. Anti‑COVID‑19 medication was not administered as the COVID‑19 infection in the patient was not severe. Laboratory findings revealed high levels of leukocytes, C‑reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin. On the whole, the association between laboratory findings (including leukocyte count, CRP and procalcitonin levels) and bacterial co‑infection with COVID‑19 remains unclear, and further studies are warranted. Oral examinations and transoral procedures are often avoided due to the high risk of the aerosolisation of COVID‑19 viral particles. However, an appropriate evaluation is essential in order to avoid the underdiagnosis of life‑threatening bacterial infections that co‑exist with COVID‑19.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

COVID‑19 and peritonsillar abscess co‑infection: A case report

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