Bacteriology in peritonsillitis.

Abscess material from 10 patients with peritonsillar abscesses was obtained by aspiration. Beside 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. Beta-hemolytic 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.