Retrospective analysis of anaerobic bacterial findings at a university hospital in Rosario, Argentina from 1995 to 1997.

VERDINI, RA; GREGORINI, E; SUTICH, E; LIMANSKY, A

ANAEROBE

Academic Press

Año: 1999 vol. 5 p. 365 - 367

1075-9964

Even though considerable progress has been made during recent years in anaerobic bacteriology, processing of anaerobes is, for small laboratories, a challenge. In order to evaluate all steps of anaerobic processing, we retrospectively analysed indications for anaerobic culture, the proportion of specimens yielding anaerobes on group and genus level and the distribution according to site of infection. We recovered anaerobes in 41 of 143 specimens. Twenty-five specimens with a positive finding for anaerobes were processed on clinicians´ request and 16 were tested on the microbiologist´s initiative. Anaerobes were mostly recovered from soft tissue infections, blood culture and intra-abdominal specimens. The most frequently isolated genera were Clostridium and Porphyromonas. Our results suggest the necessity of discussion between microbiologists and clinicians in order to analyse procedures, provide guidelines and consider the advantage and limitations of anaerobic bacteriology.