Detection of methanogens in peri-appendicular abscesses: Report of four cases.

The aetiology of appendicular abscess is predominantly microbial with aerobic and anaerobic bacteria from gut flora. In this study, by using specific laboratory tools, we co-detected Methanobrevibacter oralis and Methanobrevibacter smithii among a mixture of enterobacteria including Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus avium in four unrelated cases of postoperative appendiceal abscesses. These unprecedented observations raise a question on the role of methanogens in peri-appendicular abscesses, supporting antibiotics as an alternative therapeutic option for appendicitis, including antibiotics active against methanogens such as metronidazole or fusidic acid.

Bacteria and Methanogens in the Human Microbiome: a Review of Syntrophic Interactions.

Methanogens are microorganisms belonging to the Archaea domain and represent the primary source of biotic methane. Methanogens encode a series of enzymes which can convert secondary substrates into methane following three major methanogenesis pathways. Initially recognized as environmental microorganisms, methanogens have more recently been acknowledged as host-associated microorganisms after their detection and initial isolation in ruminants in the 1950s.

tonsillar phlegmon: a case report.

Untreated tonsillar phlegmon is a life-threatening condition commonly caused by and , among other pathogens. Here, using specific laboratory tools, we detected in addition to . This unprecedented observation questions the role of methanogens in phlegmon and the optimal treatment of this mixed infection.

Methanobrevibacter smithii Archaemia in Febrile Patients With Bacteremia, Including Those With Endocarditis.

Background: The spectrum of infections caused by methanogens remains to be described. We searched for methanogens in the blood of febrile patients using specific tools.

Methods: Blood culture samples routinely collected in patients with fever were prospectively screened by specific PCR assays for methanogens.