16S rDNA of mouse: colon/stool
A prospective observational design was employed with the pre-determined end points of either: a) development of post pull-through HAEC within 28 days after surgery, or b) event free survival of 28 days after surgery.  When post-surgical animals developed clinical signs of enterocolitis, they were euthanized and had stool and colon collected.  Alternatively, post surgical animals that did not develop enterocolitis were sacrificed at 28 days, and had stool and colon collected for analysis.