title: Microbiological examination and antibiotic sensitivity of infections in the head and neck. Has anything changed?
abstract: Because of the growing concern about antibiotic resistance, we aimed to investigate whether the microbiological picture and antibiotic sensitivity of infections in the head and neck have changed in the last 30-40 years. We retrospectively studied 150 patients admitted for inpatient treatment of infections in the head and neck, and searched published reports from the last 30 - 40 years for comparison. There were 85 male and 65 female patients (mean age 39 years, range 1-95). Most infections originated from the teeth (n = 111) and skin (n = 16), and the submandibular (69%) and buccal (67%) spaces were involved most often. Multiple spaces were involved in 94 patients. Swabs were taken for culture and sensitivity in 102 cases, and microorganisms were isolated in 91 (89%), of which 67 (74%) were aerobic infections and 24 (26%) were anaerobic. Bacteria were isolated in 87 (96%) cultures of which 60 (69%) were Gram-positive. Gram-positive cocci were isolated in 62% of cultures. The most common bacteria isolated were streptococci. Seventy percent of the bacteria were sensitive to amoxicillin and 84% to amoxicillin and metronidazole; 14% (Staphylococcus aureus from infections of the skin) were resistant to penicillin. A comparison of our results with those found in previous reports shows no significant change in the microbiological picture and antibiotic sensitivity of odontogenic infections in the head and neck over the last 30 - 40 years. Amoxicillin still treats these infections effectively.
authors.affiliation: Northampton General Hospital, Oral and Maxillofacial department, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD, Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Northampton General Hospital (England). Electronic address: Farmahan_1@msn.com.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farmahan
authors.affiliation: Northampton General Hospital, Oral and Maxillofacial department, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD, Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Northampton General Hospital (England).
authors.forename: Dery
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tuopar
authors.affiliation: Northampton General Hospital, Oral and Maxillofacial department, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD, Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Northampton General Hospital (England).
authors.forename: Phillip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ameerally
authors.affiliation: Northampton General Hospital, Oral and Maxillofacial department, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD, Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Northampton General Hospital (England).
authors.forename: Rushina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kotecha
authors.affiliation: Northampton General Hospital, Oral and Maxillofacial department, Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD, Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Northampton General Hospital (England).
authors.forename: Bijal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sisodia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D034363:Viridans Streptococci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole; D000658:Amoxicillin
keywords: Antibiotic; Changes; Head; Infections; Microbiology; Neck