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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Biofilms, Breath Tests, Child, Child, Preschool, Chronic Disease, Exhalation, Female, Humans, Logistic Models, Male, Nitric Oxide, Nitric Oxide Synthase, Palatine Tonsil, Pilot Projects, Pseudomonas Infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Recurrence, Spectrophotometry, Staphylococcal Infections, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcal Infections, Streptococcus pyogenes, Tonsillectomy, Tonsillitis.
user
Is the presence of biofilm-producing bacteria on tonsils associated with increased exhaled nitric oxide levels : preliminary data in children who experience recurrent exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis? Context: It has been suggested that bacterial biofilms may be a causative factor in the aetiopathogenesis of chronic tonsillitis. Involvement of exhaled nitric oxide has been previously considered, with conflicting findings. A pilot study was performed to investigate the relationship between exhaled nitric oxide levels and the presence of tonsillar biofilm-producing bacteria in children with chronic tonsillitis. Tonsillar biofilm-producing bacteria on bioptic specimens taken during tonsillectomy were assessed by means of spectrophotometry. Analysis was based on 24 children aged 5-10 years (median, 7.5 years). Biofilm-producing bacteria were found in 40.9 per cent of specimens. The median exhaled nitric oxide level was 11.6 ppb (range, 3.2-22.3 ppb). There was a significant relationship between the presence of biofilm-producing bacteria and increased exhaled nitric oxide levels (p = 0.03). Children with exhaled nitric oxide levels of more than 8 ppb were at three times greater risk of developing tonsillar biofilm-producing bacteria than those with lower levels.
assistant
Our findings suggest the possibility of discriminating children with chronic biofilm-sustained tonsillar infections on the basis of exhaled nitric oxide levels. Final Decision: yes