Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2006 Jan;49(1):66-71.

Isolated Microorganisms and Antimicrobial Resistance of the Deep Neck Infection: A Retrospective Review of 76 Cases

• Song HM
• Choi SH
• Choi SH
• Kim SY
• Nam SY

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of deep neck infection has decreased after the introduction of antibiotics and improvement of oral hygiene, but they still may be lethal especially when life-threatening complications occur. The purposes of this study are to find out common organisms, rates of antimicrobial resistance in the deep neck infection.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We have conducted a retrospective study of 76 patients with the diagnosis of deep neck infection that had been seen between January 1998 and December 2003.
RESULTS
The most common pathogens found were Streptococcus viridans (34%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.4%), Streptococcus Group F (11.9%), beta-hemolytic streptococci (11.9%) and Peptostreptococcus (7.5%). Staphylococcus species was not found. Of the aerobes found, 74.1% were sensitive to all antibiotics. All Streptococci, with one exception, were not resistant to any antibiotics. All Klebsiella pneumoniae were resistant to ampicillin. Klebsiella pneumoniae were cultured in 50% of DM patients.
CONCLUSION
The most common pathogens were Streptococcus viridans (34%). Of these aerobes, 74.1% were sensitive to all antibiotics. All isolated microorganisms were sensitive to ampicillin/sulbactam (Unasyn(R)) used before the results of bacterial cultures.

Keyword

Neck; Abscess; Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Bacteria

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Ampicillin
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacteria
Diagnosis
Drug Resistance, Microbial
Humans
Incidence
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Neck*
Oral Hygiene
Peptostreptococcus
Retrospective Studies*
Staphylococcus
Streptococcus
Viridans Streptococci
Ampicillin
Anti-Bacterial Agents