Management of anaerobic infections.

Abstract

Anaerobic infections are reviewed with emphasis on management. Most anaerobic pulmonary infections respond to penicillin G, even when Bacteroides fragilis (penicillin-resistant) is present. Clindamycin is suitable in penicillin-sensitive patients. Intraabdominal infections have a complex flora usually involving anaerobes, especially B. fragilis. It is desirable to use antimicrobial therapy to cover potential pathogens of all types. Surgical drainage and debridement are extremely important considerations. Anaerobic bacteria were found in 72% of 200 patients with female genital tract infections and were the exclusive isolates in 30%. Surgical therapy is primary, but antimicrobial and anticoagulant therapy are also important. A variety of soft-tissue infections involve anaerobes. Surgery is the major therapeutic approach. Anaerobic endocarditis is uncommon but may be difficult to manage. Chloramphenicol is ordinarily the drug of choice for brain abscess. New antimicrobial agents, which are under investigation and are promising, include new penicillins, new cephalosporins, new tetracyclines, and metronidazole.

• Authors: S M Finegold, J G Bartlett, A W Chow, D J Flora, S L Gorbach, E J Harder, F P Tally
• Journal: Annals of internal medicine (Ann Intern Med) Vol. 83 Issue 3 Pg. 375-89 (Sep 1975) ISSN: 0003-4819 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1190633 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Cephalosporins
• Penicillins
• Tetracyclines
• Metronidazole
• Clindamycin
• Penicillin G

Topics

• Anaerobiosis
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Bacterial Infections (drug therapy)
• Bacteroides Infections (drug therapy)
• Bone Diseases (drug therapy)
• Brain Abscess (drug therapy)
• Cephalosporins (therapeutic use)
• Clindamycin (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Genital Diseases, Female (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Infections (drug therapy)
• Joint Diseases (drug therapy)
• Lung Abscess (drug therapy)
• Lung Diseases (drug therapy)
• Male
• Metronidazole (therapeutic use)
• Penicillin G (therapeutic use)
• Penicillins (therapeutic use)
• Sepsis (drug therapy)
• Tetracyclines (therapeutic use)