Treatment of anaerobic infection

Abstract

Anaerobic bacteria are the predominant flora in the normal human skin and mucous membranes and are, therefore, a common cause of endogenous infections. Since anaerobic infections are generally polymicrobial, where anaerobes are mixed with aerobic organisms, therapy should provide coverage of both types of pathogens. The isolation of anaerobes requires appropriate methods of collection, transportation and cultivation of specimens. The lack of use of any of these methods can lead to inadequate recovery of anaerobes and inappropriate therapy. Treatment of anaerobic infection is complicated by the slow growth of these organisms and the growing resistance of anaerobic bacteria to antimicrobials. The primary role of antimicrobials is to limit the local and systemic spread of infection. Surgical drainage is of primary importance. This includes debriding of necrotic tissue, draining the pus, improving circulation, alleviating obstruction and increasing tissue oxygenation. The most effective antimicrobials against anaerobic organisms are metronidazole, the carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem), chloramphenicol, the combinations of a penicillin and a β-lactamase inhibitor (ampicillin or ticarcillin plus clavulanate, amoxicillin plus sulbactam, and piperacillin plus tazobactam), tigecycline and clindamycin.

Keywords::

• anaerobes
• antibiotics
• Bacteroides
• Fusobacterium
• Peptostreptococci
• Prevotella

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.