BACTERIOLOGICALLY, the genus Bacteroides includes a number of species of gram-negative, strictly anaerobic bacilli with rounded ends, which do not form spores. In Bergeys' Manual of Determinative Bacteriology of the 52 species of Bacteroides listed, only two are pathogens for man, B funduliformis and B fragilis.1 Normally they inhabit the upper respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the female genital tract.2
When these organs are injured or diseased, the Bacteroides organism may gain entrance to the lymphatics or bloodstream and produce secondary foci in neighboring or distant areas such as lung abscess, empyema, bronchopleural fistula, abdominal abscess, liver abscess, septicemia, meningitis, and brain abscess.2-4 In this report we have described a child who had septic arthritis caused by the organism Bacteroides. The importance of doing anaerobic cultures is illustrated by this case.
Report of a Case
A 2-year-old white boy was brought to the Clark Air Force
Ament ME, Gaal SA. Bacteroides Arthritis. Am J Dis Child. 1967;114(4):427-428. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1967.02090250125014