An audit on anaerobic bacteria isolated in the year 2012, in a tertiary care centre in Tamil Nadu

The definitive diagnosis of non-spore forming anaerobic infections is dependent on the laboratory isolation and identification of these pathogens as such infections do not have any characteristic clinical features. Here, we present retrospective data for the year 2012 on anaerobic micro-organisms isolated at our centre. Of the 636 samples sent for anaerobic culture, anaerobes were isolated in 37 samples of which 31 (83.87) were non-spore forming anaerobes. Mixed infections were seen in 2431 (77.41). Bacteroides spp. Peptostreptococcus spp. were the most commonly isolated anaerobes. Infection due to this organism was almost exclusively seen in adults, age 20 years. This retrospective study re-iterates that anaerobic infections still occur and the clinicians should be aware, so that appropriate specimens can be sent. Prospective studies are being planned to determine the prevalence of anaerobic infections using the newer and more efficient automated systems.