title: Concepts of anaerobic infection in relation to prevention and management.
abstract: Concepts of anaerobic infection are reviewed in relation to the management of wounds that might be contaminated by facultative or anaerobic organisms or mixtures of these. Considerations of post-operative wound infections oblige us to consider the indications for per-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis and to bear in mind the role of anaerobes and the possibility of pathogenic synergy in these situations. Pathogenic associations of anaerobes with other organisms are further considered in relation to periodontal disease and anaerobic vaginosis. The various roles of anaerobes in enteropathogenic conditions are briefly considered. There is a continuing obligation on clinical bacteriologists and clinicians to work together towards the more effective prevention and management of infections that may or may not have a significant anaerobic component.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D001906:Botulism / Q000517:prevention & control; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005738:Gas Gangrene / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D013742:Tetanus / Q000517:prevention & control; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control