Anaerobic Infections, Bacteremia & Endocarditis

Key Features

• Anaerobic bacteremia usually originates from the

  • Gastrointestinal tract

  • Oropharynx

  • Pressure injuries

  • Female genital tract

• Endocarditis resulting from anaerobic and microaerophilic streptococci and bacteroides (rare) originates from the same sites

Clinical Findings

• Related to site of original and metastatic infection

Diagnosis

• Culture of blood and affected tissues

Treatment

• Most cases of anaerobic or microaerophilic streptococcal endocarditis can be effectively treated with 12–20 million units of penicillin G intravenously daily for 4–6 weeks

• However, optimal therapy for other types of anaerobic bacterial endocarditis must rely on laboratory guidance

• Metronidazole, 500 mg every 8 hours intravenously, should be used if Bacteroides species is identified