[Analysis of germ cultures in 57 cases of appendicular peritonitis and 16 postoperative septic complications]

Abstract

Reliable bacteriological data were obtained from 53 and 16 out of 64 pediatric appendiceal peritonitis an 17 of their suppurative complications. Studies for aerobic and anaerobic flora ws performed in all. Each primitive peritoneal exudate contained a mixed flora with an average of 1.3 aerobic and 2.27 anaerobic species. E. coli and B. fragilis were almost constantly found among other enteric bacteria. Exudates from wound or intraabdominal complicative infections contained an average of 1.3 aerobic and 3 anaerobic species, and again E. coli and B. fragilis were constantly present. In eleven patients, there were exudates available from both the peritonitis and the complications, and the flora was coincident for, at least, one gram in all, and for two or more in eight. These facts enable us to point out the importance of anaerobes in peritoneal infections and their complications. At the same time, we recall that antibiotic treatment of peritonitis must be prescribed with this evidence in mind.