Rapid presumptive diagnosis of anaerobic infections in animals by gas-liquid chromatography.

The detection of volatile fatty acids (VFA) by gas chromatography of 85 purulent specimens from abscesses or pyogenic infections in cats, dogs, rodents, and ruminants was compared with the results of bacteriologic culturing, and proved to be a rapid means of presumptively diagnosing anaerobic infections. Of 83 bacteriologically positive specimens, 52 (61%) yielded obligate anaerobes and in 50 specimens, 1 or more VFA (butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, caproic acid, or isocaproic acid) was detected. Forty-six specimens were positive for culturing of anaerobes and for detection of 1 or more of these VFA. By contrast, pus from infections caused by (facultative) aerobic microorganisms contained no VFA or only acetic and/or propionic acid.