Infections of the Head and Neck

Staphylococcus aureus and Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) were established

as the predominant pathogens in abscesses of the head and neck in most studies done until

1970 (1). However, when methodologies suitable for recovery of anaerobic bacteria were used,

these organisms were found to predominate especially in infections that originated from sites

where these organisms are the predominant flora (i.e., dental, sinus, and tonsillar infections)

(2,3). The recovery of anaerobes from abscesses and other infections of the head and neck is not

surprising because anaerobic bacteria outnumber aerobic bacteria in the oral cavity by a ratio

of 10:1 (4). Furthermore, these organisms were recovered from chronic upper respiratory

infections such as otitis and sinusitis, and from periodontal infections (1).