Characteristics of anaerobes from skin specimens.

Anaerobes isolated from skin specimens from 1999 to 2001 were examined. The most common type was Peptostreptococcus spp., especially P. magnus and P. assaccharolyticus and Bacteroides fragilis. Dominance was seen for P. magnus, P. acnes and P. prevotii. Peptostreptococcus spp. and P. acnes showed high susceptibility to four antimicrobial agents. Prevotella spp. and B. fragilis showed low or no susceptibility to ampicillin, while B. fragilis showed low susceptibility to ceftizoxime. Evaluation of anaerobes is important for the balance of skin flora as well as for the choice of antimicrobial agents, when the anaerobes are pathogenic.