Bacteroides

Introduction

Normal colonic flora (Bacteroides fragilis):

Pathology

• infections frequently result from disruption or perforation of mucosal surfaces
• pelvic infections
  • septic abortion
  • tubo-ovarian abscess
  • endometriosis
• peritonitis
• appendicitis
• hepatic abscess
• bacteremia
  • may be secondary to abdominal abscess
  • may occur after gastrointestinal surgery
  • endocarditis
• osteomyelitis
• infectious arthritis
• pulmonary infection
  • aspiration pneumonia
  • empyema
  • pulmonary abscess

Management

• metronidazole
• ampicillin sulbactam (Unasyn)
• clindamycin (5-15% of strains are resisitant)
• imipenem
• chloramphenicol

More general terms

• Bacteroidaceae

More specific terms

• Bacteroides fragilis
• Bacteroides melaninogenicus