The peritonsillar abscess in focus of Antibiotic Stewardship

Introduction:

This study aimes to identify the most common bacteria in peritonsillar abscess and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in context of antibiotic stewership.

Methods:

Retrospectiv chart review of patients with peritonsillar abscess and followed microbiological diagnostic between January 2013 and november 2016. Valuation of antimicrobially sensitivity test was done by EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing).

Results:

n = 120 patients, median age 37 years (range 2 – 93 years), male 55,8% (n = 67) female 44,2% (n = 53), polymicrobial and monomikrobial growth was observed nearly equal (49,4% vs. 50,6%). Streptococcus spp. Was detected in 46,3% (n = 44) of the cultures. In these no resistance to penicillin was found.

Conclusion:

Streptococcal species are the most common isolated pathogens, which are penicillinensible in any case. Thus preoperative therapy using benzylpenicillins is the first choice. A combination therapy with metronidazole appears obsolete. A therapy using ampicillin/sulbactam or amoxicillin/clavulanate is reasonable in severe cases. Excessive use of cephalosporins should be avoided.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)