Introduction of anaerobic methodology into a clinical microbiological laboratory

For the successful introduction of anaerobic methodology into a clinical microbiological laboratory, several factors are very important. These include: 1) laboratory; 2) establishment of skilful technicians and adequate equipment; and 3) communication with clinicians who believe in anaerobes as infectious agents and are interested in working with the microbiologist. The beneficial effects of these factors on a laboratory's efficiency in providing an anaerobic service are demonstrated by the following data. In the period January to July 1978, we found 234/1446 specimens (16.2%) positive for anaerobes. The isolated strains mainly belonged to the genera Propionibacterium (26.5%), Bacteroides (26.1%), Clostridium (26.1%) and gram-positive cocci (18.4%). Fusobacterium could be found in 1.7% only. Specimens yielding anaerobes were mostly derived from infected wounds, pus, abscesses, and aspirated liquids from the pelvis, gall bladder or knee. The problem which now has to be solved concerns the significance of some of the anaerobic isolates as causative infectious agents in individual cases.