Clinical anaerobic infections

Clinical anaerobic infections are often associated with and in proximity to the mucous membranes where they are predominantly normal human flora. This wide variety of infections can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially when clinically unrecognized or ineffective antimicrobial therapy is selected or inadequate surgical therapy is utilized. These diverse infections may be located anywhere in the body but are usually associated with the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, female genitourinary tract and. the fecal stream. Abscess formation and foul odor to a discharge or wound, and the presence of necrotic tissue are clinical clues of anaerobic infections. (C) 1999 Academic Press.