ANAEROBES

Anaerobic organisms require an oxygen free environment to grow normally. Strict anaerobes are actually inhibited from growing in the presence of oxygen. Anaerobes represent 5-10% of all clinical infections. Areas of the body with normal amounts of anaerobic flora are the regions most susceptible to anaerobic infection. Anaerobic infections usually have the following characteristics:

foul smelling discharge
proximity to mucosal membrane
necrotic tissue
gas formation in tissues or discharge
infection following a bite

GRAM-POSITIVE BACILLI (SPORE-FORMING)
- CLOSTRIDIUM
GRAM-POSITIVE BACILLI (NON-SPORE-FORMING)
- ACTINOMYCES
- BIFIDOBACTERIUM
- EUBACTERIUM
- PROPIONIBACTERIUM
- LACTOBACILLUS (discussed with Gram-positive rods)
GRAM-POSITIVE COCCI
- PEPTOSTREPTOCOCCUS
- STREPTOCOCCUS (discussed with Gram-positive cocci)
- STAPHYLOCOCCUS (discussed with Gram-positive cocci)
GRAM-NEGATIVE BACILLI
- BACTEROIDES
- CAMPYLOBACTER (discussed with Gram-negative rods)
- FUSOBACTERIUM
GRAM-NEGATIVE COCCI
- VEILLONELLA