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Experimental anaerobic infections in mice are reviewed with a description of a model of pure Bacteroides fragilis infection. In this experimental situation, B. fragilis produces large subcutaneous abscesses in the groins of mice that can be diagnosed without autopsy. This infection was treated effectively with clindamycin in doses that produced levels of drug in blood similar to those attainable in humans. During the past three years, our group has been involved in the development of experimental anaerobic infections in mice. When these inves

A replicator is described for transferring 48 bacterial cultures into separate wells of microtiter plates. The device was designed for determination of carbohydrate fermentation patterns of anaerobic bacteria but should be useful for other applications. A simple device for filling microtiter wells with media is also described.

A microprocedure was described for determining the carbohydrate fermentation patterns of 48 anaerobic bacteria at one time in microtiter plates. The cultures were transferred into agar-filled wells of microtiter plates with a replicator inside an anaerobic glove box. Fermentation was measured both with a colorimetric indicator and with a small pH electrode. The method was approximately 97% accurate. It would be most useful for laboratories that need to identify large numbers of anaerobes at one time.

The efficacies of five common antimicrobial agents were determined for a pure Bacteroides fragilis infection in mice. Therapy was begun 4 h after bacterial injection and given every 8 h thereafter for 5 days. Blood levels were determined over an 8-h period for each concentration of antibiotic tested. Clindamycin and tetracycline were the most effective in preventing the formation of abscesses. Chloramphenicol, penicillin G, and cephalothin were not effective in protecting the mice from infection.