Infections due to anaerobic bacteria: case reports.

Four typical case histories are presented to illustrate the clinical situation in which anaerobic infections may occur. In all conditions in which there is a risk of aspiration (anaesthetic, alcoholism etc.) anaerobes should be suspected as one of the causative organisms of infection. In such pulmonary infections transtracheal aspiration must be performed to collect material. Infections with anaerobes can occur in compromised patients undergoing treatment with antibiotics which are not effective against anaerobes (e.g. aminoglycosides).