Affiliations: UCLA School of Medicine and R.M. Alden Research
Laboratory, Santa Monica, CA, USA | Department of Medicine, Michigan State University,
East Lansing, MI, USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Ellie J.C. Goldstein, MD, R.M. Alden Research
Laboratory, 2021 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 740 E, Santa Monica, CA 90404,
USA. Tel.: +1 310 315 1511; Fax: +1 310 315 3663; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Anaerobes are opportunistic pathogens that are the predominant
indigenous normal flora of the skin and mucous membranes in humans. Anaerobic
infections are common, often found in proximity to their anatomical locations,
and may be difficult to treat. Anaerobes are usually found in mixed culture
along with aerobes. This article reviews the activity of various classes of
antimicrobials used against anaerobes, along with their pharmacodynamics, and
the susceptibility patterns and resistance mechanisms of important anaerobic
pathogens such as Bacteroides fragilis. It is hoped that the reader will
be able to use this information and synthesize it into an approach on how to
select antimicrobials for anaerobic therapy.
Keywords: Anaerobic bacteria, B. fragilis, carbapenems, antimicrobial resistance, pharmacokinetics
