Epidemiological Study on Tonsillitis Caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in Mosul City

During September 1997 and August 1998, 1049 tonsil swabs were collected, the study showed that the Streptococcus pyogenes responsible of tonsillitis infection, morphological, biochemical and serological test were used for identification of this bacteria. The results showed that the infection of tonsils begins from September and reach its peak during January , February, March and April, also the percentage of infection among females were higher during February than in male. while in March the reverse noticed, age group of (9-10) and (15-16) for both sexes were found to have the highest percentage of tonsillitis compared with other groups throughout the seasonal variations, the results indicated that the infection of tonsils due to S. pyogenes in males were more than in females, also the study showed that those who had tonsillectomy still carried S. pyogenes in their larynges.