Retrospective long-term analysis of the bacterial spectrum in peritonsillar abscess

Introduction  The studies available to date on the isolation of pathogens in peritonsillar abscess (PTA), a frequent and not rarely serious inflammatory disease, provide overall very heterogeneous results. The aim of this work was to characterize the spectrum of pathogens in patients with PTA over a 12-year period and its association with demographic and clinical parameters.

Material and Methods  In a retrospective long-term study (2006-2017), the microbiological germ spectrum of n=645 PTA patients (0-85 years; 33.8±15.8 years) was analyzed. In addition, parameters such as nicotine/alcohol history, inflammation parameters, abscess extent, hospitalization duration, and therapy performed were collected.

Results  Pathogens were detected in 581 of the 645 patients (90.1%). Here, monomicrobial growth could be shown in 254/581 of the cases (43.7%) and a polymicrobial growth in 327/581 of the cases (56.3%). In total, pathogens from more than 20 different species could be detected. The most common aerobic pathogens were pyogenic streptococci (28.4% of the cases) and non-pyogenic streptococci (15.3% of the cases) while anaerobic pathogens were dominated by Bacteroides spp. (11.3% of the cases). Significantly increased numbers of staphylococci were isolated from extensive abscesses. Significant changes in isolation rates were observed for bacterial subtypes of the genus Streptococcus during the observation period.

Conclusion  The spectrum of pathogens in PTA is variable and the isolation rates of individual pathogens are subject to change over time. Individual pathogens show associations with clinical parameters, which should be considered for therapy.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
24. Mai 2022