Treatment of infections caused by anaerobes.

In summary, the selection of a specific antimicrobial agent for the treatment of infections caused by anaerobic microorganisms depends upon the site of infection, the suspected anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms causing the infection, and the pharmacokinetics and drug distribution of the antimicrobial agent. Appropriate surgical debridement or drainage of abscess material is as important, if not more so, than the selection of a specific antimicrobial agent for the successful management of patients with infections caused by anaerobic microorganisms. The availability of new antimicrobials with activity against anaerobic microorganisms, and combination therapy for managing infection caused by mixed flora of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, has increased our ability to successfully manage hospitalized patients with infections caused by these microorganisms.