Anaerobic urinary tract infection owing to Bacteroides fragilis in a chronic hemodialysis patient.

A chronic maintenance hemodialysis patient with severe oliguria and persistent anaerobic urinary tract infection owing to Bacteroides fragilis is presented. Review of the literature shows that the incidence of anaerobic pathogens in random urine cultures is high but that the incidence of clinically significant infection is low. Since the urethra harbors anaerobic organisms suprapubic aspiration of urine and culture are indicated to confirm true anaerobic urinary tract infection. Anaerobic infections are associated with urinary tract abnormalities and pyuria. The various therapeutic maneuvers that were used to treat the infection are discussed, including antibiotic instillation into the bladder and nephrectomy.