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C urrent methods to isolate and identify anaerobic bacteria are laborious and time consuming. It was postulated that the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by these organisms might serve as microbial markers in clinical material. 98 specimens of pus or serous fluid were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography, and findings were compared with culture results. Good correlations were found for the recovery of anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli and the presence of isobutyric, butyric, and succinic acids. 19 of 20 specimens with significant amounts of these acids (greater than 0.01 mumol/ml) yielded bacteroides or fusobacteria. Culture of the single "false-positive" specimen failed to grow anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli, although clinical data and Gram-stain suggested their presence. 77 of 78 specimens which has insignificant concentrations of the marker acids failed to yield anaerobic, Gram-negative bacilli in culture. The single "false-negative" specimen yielded Bacteroides pneumosintes, an organism which does not ferment carbohydrates. It is concluded that direct gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of clinical specimens provides a rapid presumptive test for the presence of anaerobic, Gram-negative bacilli.