Anaerobic bacteria are both friend and foe for us. As a normal microbiota of exposed body surfaces and mucous membranes, they help us by digesting foodstuffs, preventing attachment of pathogens, and supplying vitamins such as vitamin K. But when they are introduced to a new site in the body they can cause infections such as liver abscess, brain abscess, lungs abscess, myonecrosis, gas gangrene, and oral anaerobic infections.
To recover anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens appropriate collection, transport, and processing procedures must be followed.
