Incidence and Significance of Anaerobes in the Abdomen

Abstract

Since the thorough literature review by Altemeier and his documentation that both anaerobic as well as aerobic species are responsible for the bacterial peritonitis in perforated appendicitis, seldom have reports cited anaerobes as being involved in infections developing after peritoneal, pelvic, or perineal contamination by intestinal contents (1, 3, 4, 6, 7). Recently, however, Gorbach and associates have repeatedly stressed an almost routine soilage of the peritoneal cavity by anaerobes whenever gastrointestinal perforation has occurred as a result of disease or trauma (4,7). Subsequent infections following such contamination have also been due primarily to a multiplicity of bacterial species having both anaerobic as well as aerobic culture requirements. This synergistic combination of aerobes and anaerobes has appeared to offer a valid argument for the polymicrobial basis, not a single species, as the cause of the majority of infections developing on a surgical ward (4, 6).