The anaerobic and aerobic bacterial flora in pouch of Douglas (POD) aspirate and high vaginal swabs (HVS) was studied in 43 cases of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) using standard techniques. High vaginal swabs from 20 healthy women were included as controls. Anaerobic and aerobic bacteria were isolated from 37 (86%) HVS and 31 (72%) POD aspirates from these 43 women. A total of 100 aerobic and 10 anaerobic bacterial strains were recovered from both the sites. Coagulase negative staphylococci (28), Escherichia coli (23) and Streptococcus faecalis (14) were predominant aerobic bacteria. Of the anaerobes, peptostreptococci species and Bacteroides species were more common, polymicrobial flora (more than one type of organism) was present in a total of 27 specimens. However mixture of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria were seen in only 5 specimens. Of the 20 control specimens, ten were positive for organisms. Ten aerobic and 3 anaerobic bacterial strains were recovered.