Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2016 Oct;59(10):733-737. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.10.733.

Characteristics of Microbiology of Peritonsillar Abscess

• Lee JH
• Choi HG
• Yang JH
• Park B

• KMID: 2356327
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.10.733

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to review the characteristics of microbiology of peritonsillar abscess and to recommend adequate empirical antibiotics.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Patients (437) who underwent surgical drainage for peritonsillar abscess were reviewed retrospectively. We analyzed correlations between age, gender, obesity and diabetes mellitus and cultured organisms with respect to susceptibility of antibiotics.
RESULTS
The leading pathogens were α-hemolytic streptococcus (44.3%), Streptococcus viridians (12.3%), β-hemolytic streptococcus (8.2%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (6.8%). The rates of α-hemolytic streptococcus and Streptococcus pyogenes growth were p=0.002 and p=0.032, respectively; these values were significantly higher in patients under the age of 40 than those over the age of 40. Klebsiella pneumoniae infection was observed more frequently in the diabetic group than in the non-diabetic group. Antibiotics susceptibility test showed that four leading pathogens were susceptible to ampicillin/sulbactam.
CONCLUSION
Only ampicillin/sulbactam was sufficient to treat peritonsillar abscess empirically. In conclusion, the use of third generation Cephalosporin or other antibiotics for anaerobes is not considered necessary for the empirical treatments of peritonsillar abscess.

Keyword

Antibiotics; Culture; Microbiology; Peritonsillar abscess

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Diabetes Mellitus
Drainage
Humans
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Methods
Obesity
Peritonsillar Abscess*
Retrospective Studies
Streptococcus
Streptococcus pyogenes
Anti-Bacterial Agents