Bacteriology in Peritonsillitis

Abstract

Abscess material from 10 patients with peritonsillar abscesses was obtained by aspiration. Bedside cultures and cultures in the laboratory, were performed 3–26 hours later, as well as routine nasopharyngeal and throat swab cultures. A total of 26 bacterial species were isolated from the abscess material; 19 of these were obligate anaerobes. In 4 patients a pure growth of anaerobes was found. In 3 patients a mixed aerobe/anaerobe flora was obtained. In 3 patients a pure growth of aerobes was found. Betahemolytic streptococci groups A and C respectively were isolated from 2 patients, but in pure culture from one patient only. The results of the nasopharyngeal and throat swab cultures showed a poor correlation to the results of cultures on aspirates. Comparison of the results of the bedside inoculation with the results of inoculation in the laboratory showed a moderate loss of bacterial species, viz. 3 of 26. All bacteria studied were susceptible to penicillin V, ampicillin and erythromycin when tested in vitro.