The Numbers of Pathogenic Bacilli in Faeces in Intestinal Diseases

Abstract

Summary1. Gastro-enteritis caused by certain varieties of Bact. coli is a highly infectious disease among babies, and it has been suspected that the infectivity is associated, partly at least, with the very large numbers of pathogens excreted in the faeces. Very large numbers were found in the faeces, but large numbers of pathogens were also found in dysentery, salmonella food-poisoning and in some cases of paratyphoid fever.In cases of gastro-enteritis the dilution of faeces containing 5 to 50 pathogenic Bact. coli per ml. was usually 10−8; in Sonne dysentery and salmonella food-poisoning the corresponding dilution was 10−6. It is doubtful if even this difference can account for the differences in infectivity.2. When normal Bact. coli outnumber pathogenic Bact. coli, shigellae or salmonellae by as little as 10: 1 it is difficult to identify the pathogens unless a selective culture medium can be used.3. Ordinary nutrient broth is generally able to act as an enrichment medium for the isolation of pathogens from faeces.

Comparison of selenite F, Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate and Rappaport's medium for the isolation of salmonellas from sewage-polluted natural water using a pre-enrichment technique

“…In faecal samples in intestinal diseases, numbers of salmonellas may range from 104 to 5 to 50 x 107 (Thomson, 1955). Such specimens usually give a good growth of pathogens on media purchased from commercial firms.…”

Aerosol Generation by Modern Flush Toilets

“…Our results and those of previous investigators present a consistent body of data that demonstrates the potential for generation of infectious droplet nuclei bioaerosols when a contaminated toilet is flushed. Pathogens including Shigella, E. coli, Clostridium difficile, SARS coronavirus, and norovirus (Thomson 1955;Caul 1994;Atmar et al 2008) can be present in vomit or stools of infected persons and can survive on surfaces for weeks or even months (Kramer et al 2006). As has been shown, hundreds to thousands of potentially infectious bioaerosol particles, capable of remaining airborne for extended periods and migrating with air currents, may be generated in a single flush of a toilet contaminated with these organisms.…”

Acute undifferentiated human diarrhea in the tropics

“…In healthy individuals, the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum are free of coliform organisms (10,11). Colonization of this area occurs in AUD and in diarrhea caused by Vibrio cholerae (7) and EEC (22). Coliforms are generally cleared from the upper small bowel within 7-10 days of the acute episode but some patients may have persistence of this abnormality for several weeks (7).…”