An experimental model to reproduce some bacterial intestinal cocultures in germ-free mice.
The objective of this study was to create a stable experimental model to act as a living incubator for the main important intestinal bacteria. We have therefore inoculated germ-free mice with the most important bacteria of the human intestinal microflora, in order to study the effect of some oral antibiotics on the intestinal microflora. Sixty germ-free mice, 7 weeks old and of either sex, were inoculated orally with human faecal bacteria by means of their drinking water. Administrations were made at regular intervals following a scheme that respected some of the metabolic inter-relationships of the microorganisms used. The results showed that colonization of the germ-free mouse intestines had been achieved by most of the bacteria that had been inoculated. This "coculture" was stable in time, contrary to what happens when in-toto lyophilized faeces are administered, and the bacterial concentrations for each strains were similar to those found in human faeces.
Gismondo
M R
MR
Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Milan, Italy.
Drago
L
L
Lombardi
A
A
Fassina
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice