Abstract
It is remarkable that in this era of antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms, we are still debating whether it is worthwhile conducting susceptibility testing of anaerobes. Although routine susceptibility testing of anaerobic bacteria is considered impractical, and it has been suggested that surveys be conducted only periodically to monitor changing patterns of resistance and to determine the effectiveness of newer agents, we may be approaching a time when susceptibility testing on an individual basis may be necessary. Recent surveys have demonstrated increasing resistance to beta-lactam antimicrobials, not only in the Bacteroides fragilis group of organisms but also the non-A fragilis Bacteroides, the Prevotella and Porphyromonas groups, and fusobacteria. In addition, resistance to metronidazole and imipenem in clinically significant Bacteroides has been reported recently in Europe and the USA. Regional variations in antimicrobial resistance patterns of anaerobes are welldocumented, however, in many countries these data are not produced. We have available in the E test a method which works well for anaerobes and we are now in a position to carry out routine testing.