Bacteremia Due to Bacteroides

Abstract

Recent experiences with infections due to Bacteroides prompted us to review some of our data on patients with bacteremia due to organisms of this group. The review covered the period from February 1, 1948, through February 28, 1959. Three of the patients previously were included in a study of gram-negative bacteremias by members of our group.¹ Bacteriologic Considerations The Bacteroidaceae² are anaerobic, gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacilli, some of which normally inhabit the pharynx and the gastrointestinal and female genital tracts. Upon occasion, these organisms may become pathogenic for man, and failure to obtain anaerobic cultures may conceal the fact that they are present in sites of infection.^3,4 A recent review of the world literature cited 330 cases of various human infections as being due to Bacteroides; bacteremia was present in at least half of these cases.⁵ During the period covered by the present study, the Section of