The bacteriology of appendicitis and its septic complications in Zaria, Nigeria

Two hundred and seventy nine case notes of patients with confirmed appendicitis seen over a five year period at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria, were studied retrospectively and 100 patients were studied prospectively for the bacterial flora of appendicitis and its septic complications. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated aerobe while Bacteroides species were the most common anaerobes in both aspects of the study. Gentamicin, chloramphenicol and metronidazole are suggested as the most useful drugs in the management of complicated cases of appendicitis in this environment.