Microbiological Spectrum and Demographic Distribution of Pathogens Causing Suppurative Inflammation of the Cervical Lymph Nodes in Patients Over 18 Years of Age: An Eight-Year Retrospective Study

Introduction Purulent inflammatory diseases of the head and neck represent the most common pathology within the domain of oral and maxillofacial surgery that necessitates hospitalization and urgent surgical intervention. A considerable proportion of these cases involve inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes. If not treated promptly, such infections can lead to prolonged hospital stays, including admission to intensive care units, impose a significant burden on healthcare systems, and result in severe complications, including death. Materials and methods This original study is a retrospective analysis conducted over an eight-year period (2015-2022), involving 26 adult patients (14 men and 12 women) diagnosed with purulent inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes who underwent emergency incision and drainage. In all cases, biological specimens were collected intraoperatively for microbiological analysis. The obtained results were processed and analyzed in the present work. Results The mean patient age was 49 years (range 23-81), with an average of 43 years (range 23-72) in men and 55 years (range 29-81) in women. Microorganisms were isolated in 23 of 26 patients. The most frequently identified pathogen was <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (n = 15), followed by resident oral microflora (n = 4), <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (n = 2), <i>Enterobacter cloacae</i> (n = 1), and <i>Candida albicans</i> (n = 1). In three patients, no microorganisms were detected (sterile cultures). Conclusions Our study, although single-center, confirms that in cases of purulent cervical lymphadenitis within the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, empirical antimicrobial therapy should be selected to provide coverage for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. Clinicians should also be aware that, although uncommon, fungal pathogens may be encountered.