Role of anaerobic bacteria in liver abscesses in children

Aspirates from pyogenic liver abscesses obtained from 14 children were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Of 29 organisms that were recovered, 17 were anaerobic and 12 were aerobic or facultative. The predominant organisms were Peptostreptococcus spp. (5 isolates). Bacteroides fragilis group (4), Fusobacterium spp. (3) and Staphylococcus aureus (4). Aerobic or facultative bacteria only were recovered in five cases, anaerobic bacteria only in four and mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in five. Anaerobic bacteria were recovered in liver abscesses that were associated with other infection in which these organisms were predominant (i.e. abdominal infection, abscesses). This study highlights the potential importance of anaerobic bacteria in pyogenic liver abscess.