INTRODUCTION: Systematic analyses and studies on the microbiological spectrum of anorectal abscesses (ARAs) are currently lacking in modern proctology. Microorganisms from the colonic flora lead to retrograde infection of the anorectal glands with the subsequent appearance of ARA.
AIM: The aim of this article is to analyze the frequency, type, and structure of the aerobic microbiological landscape in adult patients operated for ARA.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A detailed analysis of the microbiological agents was performed in 254 operated adult patients, with a total of 274 isolates, which were divided as follows: 188 monocultures, 20 pairs of aerobic microbial associations, and 46 found sterile. Microbiological studies were performed by bacteriological examination of the purulent exudate taken during the operation.
RESULTS: A total of 17 types of microbial cultures were identified. The most common were as follows: E. coli (n=160, 58.4%), Proteus spp. (n=15, 5.5%), Klebsiella spp. (n=11, 4%), Staphylococcus spp. (n=12, 4.4%), Enterococcus faecalis (n=8, 2.9%), Enterobacter cloacae complex (n=6, 2.2%). Monocultures were found in 188 patients (74.0%) and mixed infection with microbial associations in 20 patients (7.9%). Of the isolates, Gram (-) predominated, accounting for 201 (73.3%) strains, and Gram (+) constituted 26 (9.5%).
CONCLUSION: So far, there have been only isolated reports on this issue in our country, without systematic studies. This determines the relevance and importance of our study on the aerobic microbiological landscape in operated adult patients with ARA. Routine microbiological screening should be an integral part of the diagnosis of ARA and of great help in the treatment.
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