Bacterial flora of the gastrointestinal tract of opossums.
The bacterial flora of the stomach, small intestine, cecum and bile from 20 healthy opossums (Didelphis virginiana) captured from the wild was studied. Results showed that their gastrointestinal flora was similar to that found in other small mammals but, in addition, opossums are heavily colonized by Salmonella spp., which might adversely affect their adequacy as laboratory animals for some experimental protocols.
Rodriguez
L
L
Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030.
Calabuig
R
R
LaRocco
M
M
Moody
F G
FG
Miller
T A
TA
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D001646:Bile / Q000382:microbiology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005260:Female; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D009893:Opossums / Q000382:microbiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology*