Anaerobes in pleuropulmonary infections.
A total of 76 anaerobes and 122 aerobes were isolated from 100 patients with pleuropulmonary infections, e.g. empyema (64), pleural effusion (19) and lung abscess (13). In 14% of the patients, only anaerobes were recovered, while a mixture of aerobes and anaerobes was encountered in 58%. From all cases of lung abscess, anaerobic bacteria were isolated, alone (04) or along with aerobic bacteria (13). From empyema and pleural effusion cases, 65.6% and 68.4% anaerobes were recovered respectively. Amongst anaerobes, gram negative anaerobic bacilli predominated (Prevotella melaninogenicus 16, Fusobacterium spp. 10, Bacteroides spp. 9), followed by gram positive anaerobic cocci (Peptostreptococcus spp. 31). Coliform bacteria (45) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (42) were the predominant aerobic isolates.
Department of Microbiology, LTM Medical College and Hospital, Sion, Mumbai - 400 022, India.
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