Bacteriologic study of 50 patients with deep neck infections, Shahrekord, 2001

Deep neck infections are relatively common infections with severe mortality and morbidity outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the type of causing bacteria and their sensitivity pattern to routine antibiotics. Samples were obtained by aspiration from the neck abscesses of 50 patients with deep neck infection referred to Shahrekord Kashani and Resalat hospitals. The samples were then cultured in aerobic and anaerobic media. From 66 bacterial isolates, 35 cases (54%) were identified as strict and 31 cases (46%) were facultative anaerobic bacteria. No strict aerobic bacteria were isolated. Bacteroides and Fusobacterium spp. were the most common strict and coagulase negative staphylococci were the most common facultative anaerobic isolates. In five cases we were not able to identify the causative organisms. In antibiogram testing, cloxacillin, ceftizoxime and chloramphenicol were the most effective antibiotics on the anaerobic bacteria. With respect to fatal nature of deep neck infections, rapid diagnosis and treatment play a main role in reducing the mortality and morbidity of the disease. Ceftizoxime, chloramphenicol and clindamycine antibiotics are recomended for therapeutic purposes of these patients.