It is thought that the normal enteric microflora acts not only to prevent intestinal colonization but also to prevent subsequent systemic dissemination of ingested, potentially pathogenic bacteria. To determine the relative roles of specific components of the intestinal bacterial flora in bacterial translocation out of the gut, mice were given various antimicrobial agents to selectively elimina...

The human endogenous intestinal microflora is an essential "organ" in providing nourishment, regulating epithelial development, and instructing innate immunity; yet, surprisingly, basic features remain poorly described. We examined 13,355 prokaryotic ribosomal RNA gene sequences from multiple colonic mucosal sites and feces of healthy subjects to improve our understanding of gut microbial diver...

Mammals coexist in an overall symbiotic relationship with a complex array of commensal bacterial flora that colonizes the gastrointestinal tract. These intestinal bacteria interface with cells of the mucosal immune system, including DCs. Here we discuss mechanisms of interaction between intestinal bacteria and DCs and the role of localized gastrointestinal immune responses.

Samples from the pharynx, stomach, duodenum or jejunum, and faeces were collected on 7 days between 1st and 28th day from neonates weighing less than 1.5 kg at birth who were fed by transpyloric tube. These were cultured on selective and non-selective media, and the results were expressed in a semi-quantitative manner. The number of bacterial species and the density of their growth increased wi...

The normal flora of laboratory mice at The Rockefeller Institute, fed on a bread and milk diet, was determined. Bacillus acidophilus and Bacillus bifidus outnumber the Bacillus coli, Bacillus acidi lactici, and Bacillus coli communior group about twenty-five to one. White and yellow cocci which may or may not liquefy gelatin are occasionally noted; spirochetal and vibrio forms and yeasts are us...

Metabolic acidosis in a 3-year-old child with short bowel syndrome led to the discovery of massive D-lactic aciduria. After normalisation of the intestinal bacterial flora, D-lactate disappeared together with the acidosis. Dysbacteriosis with excessive production of D-lactate by intestinal bacteria (unidentified) and subsequent absorption explains this unusual cause of metabolic acidosis.

The relation between diarrhoea and vomiting, the excretion of stool micro-organisms, and the passive intestinal permeability in 20 infants living in a deprived urban area was studied prospectively from birth to age 6 months. Intestinal permeability was measured from the ratio of lactulose to mannitol recovered in the urine of infants receiving feeds containing both markers. Micro-organism excre...

Aims In recent years, the role of gut flora in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn ́s Disease (CD) has become focus of intense research. The working hypothesis is that an altered microbiota causes mucosal inflammation in a genetically susceptible individual. Understanding the microbiota ́s role in the pathogenesis of the disease is essential for new IBD ...

BACKGROUND Although the etiology of idiopathic ulcerative colitis (UC) remains poorly understood, the intestinal flora is suspected to play an important role. Specific, consistent abnormalities in flora composition peculiar to UC have not yet been described, however Clostridium difficile colitis has been cured by the infusion of human fecal flora into the colon. This approach may also be applic...