Anaerobic Bacteriological Study of the Human Liver — with a Critical Review of the Literature

Abstract

Lykkegaard Nielsen, M., Justesen, T. & Asnæs, S. Anaerobic bacteriological study of the human liver - with a critical review of the literature. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1974, 9, 671–677.

One hundred and sixty-one surgical biopsy specimens from the liver in 108 patients with and without extrahepatic biliary tract disease were examined both bacteriologically and histologically. The technique of anaerobic culture was based on the use of a ‘glove-box’ and prereduced anaerobically sterilized media. Transport of samples was based on flushing with oxygen-free CO₂ and a transport time less than 30 minutes. Anaerobic bacteria were isolated from the liver in 8 patients, but in all cases the organism was identified as P.acnes, and judged to be a contaminant. The examination was so arranged as to elucidate among other things the question of contamination of clinical samples with anaerobic bacteria. It was concluded that in patients without abscesses or biliary tract obstruction, the liver does not harbor anaerobic bacteria. A further conclusion was that contamination of clinical specimens with anaerobic bacteria occurs in line with contamination with aerobic bacteria. The literature on anaerobic bacteriology of the human liver is critically reviewed.

Key-words::

• Anaerobic bacteria
• biliary tract disease
• human liver