title: Microbiology and principles of antimicrobial therapy for head and neck infections.
abstract: The principles of antimicrobial management for head and neck infections include establishing an accurate clinical and microbiologic diagnosis and treating the patient initially with an empiric antimicrobial regimen based on predicted likelihood of success and reduced potential for resistance. Subsequent adjustments may be required based on clinical response and available culture results. This article summarizes the aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of selected acute and chronic infections of the head and neck and the approaches to antimicrobial therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, 4431 Albemarle St. NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA. ib6@georgetown.edu
authors.forename: Itzhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brook
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006257:Head / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents