Escherichia coli serotypes throughout the gastrointestinal tract of patients with intestinal disorders.

Abstract

SUMMARYThe 0 and H serotypes of Escherichia coli that were present along the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract of patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth were studied. Multiple sero-and biotypes were represented, although usually a single serotype predominated in each patient. In a number of cases the different O :H serotypes were antigenically related indicating that antigenic degradation was occurring. The serotypes isolated from the stomach and small intestine were represented in the faeces. In general, within the limitations of this study, there appears to be a stable ecosystem in each patient and it may require specific oral antibiotics to alter it.

Bacteriophage Distribution in Human Faeces: Continuous Survey of Healthy Subjects and Patients with Internal and Leukaemic Diseases

“…Although E. coli represents only a minor constituent of the normal microbial flora in the human intestine, it was found to remain there fairly stably for periods extending over several months with some occasional fluctuations (Tabaqchali et al, 1977). In parallel with this observation, stability and continuity of temperate coliphages in the human intestine were also demonstrated in the present study.…”

“…coli in the human intestine was observed in a continuous survey, whereas abrupt changes of the bacterial flora, including E. coli, were observed upon administration of antibiotics (Tabaqchali et al, 1977). The role of bacteriophages in relation to rumen microorganisms has been studied by Orpin & Munn (1974), and by Iverson & MiUis (1977), but little is known about the ecological significance of bacteriophages in their natural habitats.…”

Adhesion of commensal bacteria to the large intestine wall in humans

“…However, there has been little attention paid to the adhesion of the autochthonous flora to epithelial layers in normal healthy individuals. The examination of healthy tissue removed during surgery suggests that the adhesion of commensal organisms to the intestine wall of humans occurs in vivo (10,15), but the number of cases examined is limited. Moreover, most of the published studies rely on microscopy to detect the microorganism, and there have been few attempts to grow the adhering bacteria and to characterize them.…”

Escherichia coli antibodies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

“…In order to test this hypothesis, and because the intestinal Escherichia coli flora can contain a variety of serotypes over a period of time (Bettelheim et al, 1972;Shooter et al, 1977;Tabaqchali et al, 1977), it was considered that an assay of antibodies to all currently accepted 159 Escherichia coli 0-antigens in the serum of patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease might give a better understanding of the bacterial role in these patients, and also determine if the antigenic stimulus is limited to the specific serotypes as previously reported, or if it is a widespread reaction.…”