title: Microbial Flora and Antibiotic Resistance in Peritonsillar Abscesses in Upstate New York.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the common bacteria in recent peritonsillar abscesses and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and compare both between adults and children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective chart review at a single academic institution of patients who underwent either incision and drainage or tonsillectomy for a peritonsillar abscess between 2002 and 2012 (n=69). Medical records were reviewed for cultures, comorbidities, and drainage procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cultures obtained from 62.32% of peritonsillar abscesses were polymicrobial, and 34.78% were monomicrobial. The most common pathogens were β-hemolytic Streptococcus (31.88%), α-hemolytic Streptococcus (21.74%), Neisseria (14.49%), and Streptococcus milleri (13.04%). Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus was more common in children and Streptococcus milleri was more common in adults. Alpha-hemolytic streptococcus was resistant to clindamycin (6.67%) and erythromycin (6.67%). Streptococcus milleri was resistant to clindamycin (11.11%) and erythromycin (11.11%). Staphylococcus was resistant to penicillin (37.5%), oxacillin (25%), erythromycin (25%), and clindamycin (12.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  β- and α-hemolytic Streptococci, Neisseria, and Streptococcus milleri are the most common pathogens. Streptococcus milleri is more common in adults, and β-hemolytic streptococcus is more common in children. Resistance to clindamycin and erythromycin is common in Streptococci and Staphylococci, and penicillin resistance is common in Staphylococci.
authors.affiliation: State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA pluma@upstate.edu.
authors.forename: Ann Woodhouse
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Plum
authors.affiliation: State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mortelliti
authors.affiliation: State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009343:Neisseria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: antibiotic resistance; pathogens; peritonsillar abscess