JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Microbiology of polymicrobial abscesses and implications for therapy.

Abscesses that develop as a result of introduction of the normal flora into a normally sterile body site are often polymicrobial. This review summarizes past studies published by our group on the microbiology of polymicrobial abscesses that occur at various body sites. Staphylococcus aureus and Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci are the most prevalent aerobes in skin and soft tissue abscesses and are isolated at all body sites. In contrast, organisms that colonize the mucous membranes predominated in infections adjacent to these membranes. In this fashion, organisms of the gastrointestinal and cervical flora (enteric Gram-negative bacilli and Bacteroides fragilis group) were found most often in intra-abdominal and buttock and leg lesions. Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci, pigmented Prevotella and Porphyromonas spp., and Fusobacterium spp. were most commonly found in lesions of the mouth, head, neck and fingers. These organisms probably reached these sites from the oral cavity, where they are part of the normal flora. Drainage of the abscess is the treatment of choice. Appropriate management of these mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections may also require the administration of antimicrobials that are effective against both the aerobic and anaerobic components of the infections.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app