Clinical, microbiological aetiology and therapeutic aspects in infantil chronic recurrent parotitis (PCRI)

Abstract

Infantil chronic recurrent parotitis (PCRI) is a recurrent parotid swelling related to non-obstructive sialectasia. The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical features, microbiological aetiology and the response to local treatment. The study included 50 patients with PCRI and 20 controls without parotid swelling. The diagnosis was confirmed by sialography, and saliva samples were taken using aspiration post gland massage. Cultures with colony counts and serological samples for mumps virus were performed. Results: The average patient’s age was 5.6 years with no sex differences. All the patients had pain and 72% had fever, 49 of the 50 children had associated respiratory infections. 66% had purulent saliva, S. pneumoniae was isolated in 38% of cases, H. influenzae in 18%, and in 20% no organism was isolated. 48.1% of the S. pneumoniae were penicillin resistent. 3 patients and 2 controls had positive serology for mumps. 19 of the 50 patients had between 1 and 4 recurrences, 1 patient had 9 recurences. Treatment using intraglandular washing with a hydrosoluble substance produced remissions between 3 and 14 days, with disappearence of clinical signs. Only 5 patients needed antibiotics. Conclusion: PCRI is a complex infectious disease with recurrent episodes that affect the patient’s quality of life. Local treatment is useful in the control of this disease, decreasing the number of episodes and the use of antibiotics.