title: A study of the microbiology of breast abscess in a teaching hospital in Kuwait.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the microbiological profile of breast abscess and assess the antibiotic susceptibility of the causative agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data obtained from cases of breast abscess over a period of 3.5 years, June 2006 to December 2009, were retrospectively analyzed. Specimens were cultured using optimal aerobic and anaerobic microbiological techniques. The antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out using the methods recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. One specimen per patient was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 114 patients, 107 (93.8%) non-lactating and 7 (6.1%) lactating women were diagnosed with breast abscess during this period. Of the 114 specimens, 83 (73%) yielded bacterial growth. Of these, 115 pathogens were isolated with an average of 1.4 pathogens per abscess. Eighteen (22%) of the 83 specimens yielded mixed bacterial growth. There were more Gram-positive pathogens (60, 52%) than anaerobes (32, 28%) and Gram-negative pathogens (22, 19%). The predominant organisms were methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (37, 32%), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA; 11, 10%), Bacteroides spp. (16, 14%), anaerobic streptococci (14, 12%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9, 8%). Of the 48 S. aureus, MRSA accounted for 11 (23%). All MRSA isolates were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  S. aureus was the most common pathogenic organism isolated in breast abscesses at Al-Amiri Hospital, Kuwait, of which 23% were MRSA. Nearly a third of the cases were caused by anaerobes, particularly B. fragilis. The data present a basis for the formation of empirical antimicrobial therapeutic policy in the management of breast abscess.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Al-Amiri Hospital, Jabriya, Kuwait. drbanwan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Khalifa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Al Benwan
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Mulla
authors.forename: Vincent O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Rotimi
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination