Definition

• Anaerobic bacteria are organisms that require reduced oxygen tension for growth.
  • Nonsporulating anaerobes are part of the normal flora on mucosal surfaces.
  • Major reservoirs include the mouth, lower GI tract, skin, and female genital tract.
• Anaerobic infections occur when the harmonious relationship between the host and the bacteria is disrupted.
  • Usually when the mucosal barrier or the skin is compromised by surgery, trauma, tumor, ischemia, or necrosis
  • Usually mixed, involving multiple species of anaerobes combined with facultative or microaerophilic organisms
• Sites of anaerobic infections include:
  • Head and neck (chronic sinusitis, chronic otitis media, Ludwig’s angina, periodontal abscesses)
  • Central nervous system (CNS) (brain abscesses, subdural empyema)
  • Pleuropulmonary diseases (aspiration pneumonia, necrotizing pneumonia, lung abscess, empyema)
  • Intra-abdominal infections (peritonitis, intra-abdominal and liver abscesses)
  • Female genital tract infections (salpingitis, pelvic peritonitis, tubo-ovarian abscess, vulvovaginal abscess, septic abortion, endometritis)
  • Skin, soft tissues, and bones
  • Bloodstream

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