THE MICROBIOLOGY AND ANTIBIOTIC-TREATMENT OF PERITONSILLAR ABSCESSES

Pus from 53 peritonsillar abscesses was cultured and associations betw een the microbiological results and clinical data were investigated wi th the aim of developing a clinical protocol for treatment. A positive culture grew in 85% of quinsies and of these 16% produced aerobes and 84% anaerobes. Penicillin-resistant organisms were grown from 32% of patients and all but one of these organisms (Haemophilus influenzae) w as sensitive to metronidazole. There was no association between clinic al presentation and cultured organism which could guide treatment, hen ce we recommend penicillin and metronidazole as the antibiotic regimen of choice in the treatment of peritonsillar abscesses because of its effectiveness in 98% of patients.