Maharaj, Shivesh Harichander2010-08-242010-08-242010-08-24http://hdl.handle.net/10539/8540MMed (Otorhinolaryngology), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandThe submandibular space is part of the deep neck fascial spaces. Infection within these spaces can cause significant mortality and morbidity. The infections are usually opportunistic, being commensal micro-organisms from the oral cavity and oro-pharynx. The study is a review of the microbiology of the submandibular space infections seen at the tertiary academic referral hospitals, University of the Witwatersrand. The period of the study is from the 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2006. 93 patients were reviewed of which 52 had aspirates taken. The predominant micro-organisms were the Gram positive anaerobic cocci. Their resistance and sensitivity pattern was also studied. A literature search for this category of infection was also conducted. The most commonly isolated micro-organisms were the gram positive cocci.enmouth infectionsThesis