Identification of coccoid Escherichia coli BJ4 cells in the large intestine of streptomycin-treated mice.
Escherichia coli BJ4, a rat isolate, was used to examine the growth and differentiation of the microorganism in its natural habitat, the intestine. Growth of E. coli BJ4 in the large intestine of streptomycin-treated mice was compared with its growth in laboratory media. By a number of methods, it was shown that E. coli BJ4 differentiates, during growth in the intestine, into two distinct populations, one that has the characteristics of the laboratory-grown strain and one that appears as a coccoid cell. Furthermore, it was shown that there is a natural selection for the coccoid-type cell in the intestine, while in laboratory media growth of rod-shaped E. coli BJ4 is enhanced.
Krogfelt
K A
KA
Department of Bacteriology, Statens Seruminstitut, Copenhagen.
Poulsen
L K
LK
Molin
S
S
D000818:Animals; D002432:Cecum / Q000382:microbiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003470:Culture Media; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D051381:Rats; D013307:Streptomycin / Q000494:pharmacology
D003470:Culture Media; D013307:Streptomycin