The microbiology and antibiotic treatment of peritonsillar abscesses.

Pus from 53 peritonsillar abscesses was cultured and associations between the microbiological results and clinical data were investigated with 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) was sensitive to metronidazole. There was no association between clinical presentation and cultured organism which could guide treatment, hence 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.