Geographical differences in tonsillar carriage rates of Fusobacterium necrophorum – A cross-sectional study in Sweden and Zambia

While Fusobacterium necrophorum historically has been considered normal tonsillar flora, recent studies from Europe and the US have suggested that carriage occur transiently in adolescence young adulthood. However, no originating Africa exist. In this cross-sectional study of F. necrophorum, we aimed to investigate geographical differences rates healthy participants aged 15–25 years Sweden Zambia further age distribution Zambia. Specimens were obtained by swabs analyzed with real-time PCR for necrophorum. years, was more common 21/100 (21%) than 6/192 (3%), p < 0.001. Zambian above 25 rare 1/76 (1%). conclusion, high rate implications on interpretation findings patients pharyngotonsillitis. Interestingly, a difference found rarely identified