Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T00:52:06.899Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The microbiology of peritonsillar sepsis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

D. G. Snow ,
J. B. Campbell  and
D. W. Morgan
D. G. Snow*
Affiliation:
Birmingham
J. B. Campbell
Affiliation:
Birmingham
D. W. Morgan
Affiliation:
Birmingham
*
Mr D. G. Snow, Department of Otolaryngology, Selly Oak Hospital, Raddlebarn Road, Birmingham B29 6JD.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Pus obtained by needle aspiration of 91 peritonsillar abscesses was examined microbiologically. A positive culture was obtained in 55 patients (60 per cent). Sixty-four bacteriological isolates were grown. Forty patients had a pure growth of a single organism, of which 21 (53 per cent) were beta Haemolytic streptococci. Pure growths of Staphylococcus aureus were found in only three patients. Fifteen patients had mixed organisms, including anaerobes, in their pus and the resistance to penicillin was low. Only the bacteroides species were generally penicillin resistant. The vast majority of patients made a good recovery following needle drainage of the abscess and treatment with parenteral penicillin. The patients with a mixture of penicillin sensitive and penicillin resistant organisms also made a good clinical recovery following needle drainage and administration of parenteral penicillin. The relevance of these findings in the pathogenesis and management of peritonsillar sepsis is discussed.

Keywords

Peritonsillar abscessBacteria
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 105 , Issue 7 , July 1991 , pp. 553 - 555
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Brook, I. (1981) Aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology of peritonsillar abscess in children. Ada Paediatrica Scandinavia, 70: 831–835.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brook, I., Yocum, P. (1984) Bacteriology of chronic tonsillitis in young adults. Archives of Otolaryngology, 110: 803–805.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dedio, R. M., Tom, L. W. C., McGowan, K. L., Wetmore, R. F., Handler, S. D., Potsic, W. P. (1988) Microbiology of the tonsils and adenoids in a paediatric population. Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 114: 763–765.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Flodstrom, A., Hallander, H. O. (1976) Microbiological aspects on peritonsillar abscesses. Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases, 8: 157–160.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Herzon, F. S. (1984) Permucosal needle drainage of peritonsillar abscesses. A five-year experience. Archives of Otolaryngology, 110: 104–105.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hibbert, J. (1987) Acute infection of the pharynx and tonsils. In Scott-Brown's Otolaryngology 5th edition (Kerr, A. G., Stell, P. M., eds.), Butterworth & Co. London, p. 78.Google Scholar
Schechter, G. L., Sly, D. E., Roper, A. L., Jackson, R. T. (1982) Changing face of treatment of peritonsillar abscess. Laryngoscope, 92: 657–659.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed