title: Bacteriology and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of peritonsillar abscess.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peritonsillar abscess is a common complication of acute tonsillitis. Its management consists of aspiration or surgical drainage followed by appropriate antibiotics. Appropriate antibiotic treatment depends on the common organisms associated with infection and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern in local scenario.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pus samples aspirated from diagnosed cases of peritonsillar abscess and submitted for culture and sensitivity in last two years were included in this study. Identification of different microorganisms was made on the basis of the microscopic findings, observation of their colony morphology and standard biochemical reactions. Susceptibility pattern to commonly used antibiotics were determined by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Altogether 24 pus samples were included in the study. Positive culture was obtained from 18 samples. Among them one organism was isolated from 13 samples whereas from five samples multiple organisms were isolated. From six samples no organisms could be cultured. Altogether Streptococcus pyogenes was isolated from 12 samples and Staphylococcus aureus from five samples. Other isolated organisms included Haemophlilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus species. Penicillin was effective for Streptococcus pyogenes whereas Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to it. Cloxacillin was found to be effective for Staphylococcus aureus. Ciprofloxacin and Ceftazidime were found to be effective for both organisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were more commonly associated with peritonsillar abscess. Streptococcus pyogenes were sensitive to penicillin but all Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to it. This fact should be considered in clinical practice for management of peritonsillar abscess.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, BPKIHS, Dharan, Nepal. anju_71np@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gurung
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khanal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghimire
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents