title: Influence of different dietary regimens upon the composition of the human fecal flora.
abstract: The composition of the fecal flora in two groups of children in primary school age with (a) normal, ad libitum diet (school-group, 20 children), and (b) lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (Salem-group, 20 children) was examined. Fecal analysis was concentrated upon the isolation of the main anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms. The pattern of S-, M-, and R-forms of Enterobacteriaceae with special regard to E. coli was investigated additionally. In the school-group counts of Clostridium species, R-, and M- forms of E. coli were significantly higher than in the Salem-group. The numbers of Bifidobacterium, Actinomyces, and Enterobacteriaceae species, as well as S-forms of E. coli were significantly increased in the Salem-group, as compared to the school-children. The data reveal a relationship between the occurrence of different anaerobic species and the SMR-pattern of E. coli, with Clostridium species in particular. The SMR-pattern of E. coli may reflect conditions of intestinal metabolism and mucosal immunity. It may serve as a simple parameter in routine examination of fecal specimen.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D003013:Clostridium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004032:Diet; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans