Human beta-defensins--at the front line of the peritonsillar abscess.

Antimicrobial proteins like human beta-defensins 1-4 (hBD1-4) protect the surface of organs against different bacteria. Little is still known about these proteins within an abscess formation. The purpose of this study was to analyse and describe the distribution of the antimicrobial proteins hBD 1-4 within the peritonsillar abscess. A total of 17 peritonsillar abscesses were analysed. Immunohistochemical stainings were performed, characteristic pictures were taken, and the mean colour intensity was measured using a specific imaging software. A statistical analysis compared the areas of interest of the specific protein staining with the one of the control staining. A total of 4,573 areas of interests were measured. A significantly stronger expression was detected for hBD1 in the surface epithelium, crypt, epithelium of the crypt, lymphocytic cap, and abscess formation in the hBD1 staining in comparison to the control samples. But there was no significance in the specific hBD1-protein expression in comparison to the control samples in the lymphoid follicle and in the germinal centre. There was a significantly stronger hBD2, hBD3, and hBD4 expression in all areas of interest for the specifics stainings in comparison to the control samples. In conclusion, we developed different scenarios which could lead to a peritonsillar abscess formation.