[Penicillin levels in tonsillar tissue and serum after intramuscular and oral application (author's transl)].

Penicillin levels were determined in both serum and tonsillar tissue 1-2 h (29 patients) and 3-4 h (16 patients) after intramuscular application of Penicillin-G resp. oral doses of Penicillin-V. All tonsils were found to contain different amounts of Penicillin. Concentrations of antibiotic in the tonsillar tissues are dependent on the respective serum levels. The serum-tonsil-difference of the Penicillin levels increases significantly in adults. The efficiency of oral and intramuscular Penicillin application and the occasionally described failure of oral Penicillin medication are discussed with regard to the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for group A streptococci.