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Microbiology of peritonsillar abscesses

Flavio Akira Sakae1, Rui Imamura, Luiz Ubirajara Sennes

  • 1University Hospital, USP, Brazil. sakaeflavio@yahoo.com.br

Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
|September 5, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Peritonsillar abscesses are typically polymicrobial infections, often involving anaerobic bacteria. Previous antibiotic use reduced the number of bacteria found but did not alter the types of microbes identified.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common complication of tonsillitis.
  • Understanding the microbial etiology of PTA is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the microbiological characteristics of peritonsillar abscesses.
  • To identify the predominant aerobic and anaerobic bacteria involved in PTA.

Main Methods:

  • Pus samples from 30 PTA patients were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
  • Patients' prior antimicrobial therapy history was recorded.

Main Results:

  • 87% of samples yielded positive cultures.
  • Mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were most common (60%), followed by aerobes (23%).
  • Streptococcus sp. (including Streptococcus pyogenes) was the most frequent aerobic isolate, while Prevotella sp. and Peptostreptococcus sp. predominated anaerobically.

Conclusions:

  • Peritonsillar abscess is generally a polymicrobial infection, with a significant presence of anaerobic bacteria.
  • While prior antibiotic treatment reduced the number of isolates, it did not change the spectrum of bacteria found in PTA.

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