Bacteroides Pneumonias

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Abstract
Eleven cases of bacteroides empyemas were seen at the Detroit General Hospital between July, 1963 and December, 1965. Three cases occurred in young women with acute bacteroides infections of the pelvis. Severe illnesses necessitated early hospitalization with lower lobe bronchopneumonias andmoderate effusions. The others were older men with significant chronic pulmonary disease. They entered with sub-acute, protracted, but progressive complaints. Massive, putrid, and rapidly reaccumulating effusions dominated these prolonged hospitalizations. Diagnosis is dependent upon an awareness by physicians that these strictly anaerobic organisms are normal inhabitants of human mucous membranes and intestines, that they are potentially virulent pathogens, and that they will not be recovered unless specimens are cultured under a strictly anaerobic environment. Visuali ation of gram-negative bacilli in sputa and empyema fluids with negative aerobic cultures should allow earlier recognition of bacteroides pneumonias with emphyema. Therapy requires combined surgical drainage and vigorous intelligent antimicrobial usage.

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