Common organisms
- • E. coli, Klebsiella, anaerobes (Bacteroides)
- • Enterococcus in healthcare-associated
Empirical therapy
- • Community-acquired mild-moderate: Ceftriaxone + Metronidazole
- • Severe / nosocomial: Piperacillin-tazobactam
Culture-directed
- • Per culture
Adverse effects
- • Metronidazole — disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol
Monitoring
- • Source control imperative (drain abscess / surgical)
- • De-escalate 4-7d post source control
Clinical pearls
- • Antibiotics alone do not cure abscess >4 cm — drain
Educational support only — follow local antibiogram and institutional protocols.
