title: Peritonsillar abscess: bacteriological evaluation.
abstract: The pus from a series of 41 peritonsillar abscesses was examined bacteriologically. In the majority of the abscesses a mixed bacterial flora was found. The specimens yielded 0-7 different bacterial species per abscess (mean 3.0). One species alone was isolated only in five cases (12.5%). Both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria were isolated from the specimens of 25 patients (61%), only anaerobes from two specimens (4.9%), and only facultative bacteria from 12 specimens (29%). Beta haemolytic streptococci were cultured in 43.9% of the cases, but Streptococcus pyogenes group A in only 10 cases (24.4%). Thus, the pus of the peritonsillar abscess seems to be caused by a mixed bacterial infection, where anaerobic bacteria play a significant role. Indications of tonsillectomy in cases with peritonsillar abscess are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010462:Peptostreptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013492:Suppuration / Q000382:microbiology