The presence of a complex and diverse intestinal flora is functionally important for regulating intestinal mucosal immune responses. However, the extent to which a balanced intestinal flora regulates systemic immune responses is still being defined. In order to specifically examine whether the acquisition of a less complex flora influences responses to immunization in the pre-weaning stages of ...

Little is known about the changes in gut resident flora during amebic colitis and amebic liver abscess (ALA) caused by Entamoeba histolytica infection. Fecal samples from ALA patients, from healthy E. histolytica negative and positive (asymptomatic) individuals, and from pre- and post-metronidazole-treated healthy volunteers and pus samples from ALA patients were tested for the presence of vari...

A partially hydrolyzed guar gum preparation (PHGG, average molecular weight: 20,000), obtained as a water-soluble dietary fiber by digestion of guar gum with beta-D-endomannanase, was administered as a beverage (11 g a day, bid) to 15 constipated women for 3 weeks. Defecating frequency, pH, weight, moisture, and bacterial flora of the feces were investigated and compared with the control period...

Ciprofloxacin was given perorally in two doses of 750 mg each with a 12-h interval starting 24 h prior to surgery, 400 mg of ciprofloxacin was given intravenously at the induction of anesthesia, and 400 mg of ciprofloxacin was given 12 h later to 21 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. The maximum concentrations in serum (mean value +/- standard deviation, 11.1 +/- 7.8 mg/liter) dur...

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with unknown etiology. Recent clinical data support a link between changes in fecal microbiota with decreased biodiversity and the development of irritable bowel syndrome. Whether these changes of the microbiota are caused by the disease or whether they develop during the course of the disease remains unclear. Several studies ...