[Rapid diagnosis of anaerobic infections by means of the direct gaschromatographic study of clinical materials].

Current methods for isolation and identification of obligately anaerobic bacteria are laborious and time-consuming. Direct gas-liquid chromatography of purulent and serous specimens for short-chain fatty acids allows a presumptive diagnosis of anaerobic infection. Good correlation was found for the cultural recovery of anaerobic bacteria and the presence of propionic acid in concentrations of greater than or equal to 1 muMol/ml, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, valeric, isocaproic and caproic acid at greater than or equal to 0.1 muMol/ml, and succinic acid at greater than or equal to 2 muMol/ml (either as single acids or in combination). Specimens yielding no anaerobic bacteria in culture contained only acetic, lactic and small amounts of succinic acid, but none of the volatile acids.