Anaerobic bacterial infection of the lung.

Anaerobic bacteria are relatively frequent pathogens in pulmonary infections that are associated with aspiration and its associated complications including aspiration pneumonitis, lung abscess, necrotizing pneumonia and empyema. These conditions have been studied since the early 1900's and substantial data with important clinical and microbiologic information are now readily available. However, the reports of these infections in the past 20 years have been sparse in number and much of the previous information relevant to this topic seems much less visible or apparent. The purpose of this report is to summarize the previous data and to celebrate the enormous contributions of Dr. Sydney Finegold to this topic.