Anaerobic bacteria in suppurative infections of the male genitourinary system

Cultures were done to determine the prevalence of anaerobic bacteria in 18 male patients with suppurative infections of the genitourinary tract. The types of infections studied were scrotal abscess, prostatic abscess, scrotal gangrene and perinephric abscess. Anaerobic bacteria were recovered in 16 of the 18 specimens examined. These 16 specimens yielded a total of 48 anaerobic strains and 19 aerobic or facultative strains. The dominant organism isolated was Bacteroides fragilis, which was found in 11 patients. It would appear that most suppurative infections of the male genitourinary tract involve anaerobic bacteria. These observations have important implications regarding recommendations for cultures and selection of antimicrobials.