Anaerobic Bacteria as a Cause of Mycotic Aneurysm of the Aorta: Microbiology and Antimicrobial Therapy

Itzhak Brook

doi:10.2174/157340309787048095

Abstract

This review summarizes the microbiology, and antimicrobial management of mycotic aneurysm of the aorta (MAA) due to anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria are an uncommon but important cause of MAA. Most cases of anaerobic MAA are caused anaerobic gram-negative bacilli (mostly B. fragilis group), Clostridium spp. (mostly Clostridium septicum, and Propionobacterium spp. (mostly P. acnes). Clostridial infection is frequently associated with gastrointestinal or hematologic malignancy. A review of all the reported cases is presented. Treatment of MAA involving anaerobic bacteria includes the use of antimicrobial effective against these organisms.

Highlights

Infections due to anaerobic bacteria are common, and can be serious and life-threatening
The recent increased in the recovery of these organisms in all infectious sites [1] including bacteremia [2] has led to greater appreciation of the role anaerobes play in infections at all body sites, including mycotic aneurysm of the aorta (MAA)
This review describes the microbiology and antimicrobial management of MAA due to anaerobic bacteria

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Infections due to anaerobic bacteria are common, and can be serious and life-threatening. As the main components of the normal human skin and mucous membranes bacterial flora, anaerobes are a common cause of endogenous bacterial infections. Because of their fastidiousness, they are difficult to isolate from infected sites, and are often overlooked. The lack of directing adequate antimicrobial therapy against these organisms may lead to clinical failures, complication and increase mortality. Their isolation requires appropriate methods of collection transportation and cultivation of specimens. Several case reports of MAA due to anaerobic bacteria (mainly B. fragilis and Clostridium septicum) were published

Bacteroides fragilis Infections

Clostridium septicum Infections

Propionibacterium acnes Infections

ANTIMICROBIAL MANAGEMENT OF MYCOTIC ANEURISM DUE TO ANAEROBIC BACTERIA

Findings

CONCLUSIONS