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The effect of diet on intestinal Escherichia coli

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

K. A. Bettelheim
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE
E. Mary Cooke
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE
Sheila O'Farrell
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE
R. A. Shooter
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE
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Summary

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During an 8-week period all specimens of stool passed by six nurses were examined for the presence of Escherichia coli and all isolations of this organism were serotyped. During the middle 4 weeks of the period the nurses ate a sterile diet. A smaller number of serotypes was isolated during the period of sterile diet than during the period when normal food was eaten. This finding supports the view that normal food is a source of strains of E. coli present in the bowel. Some new serotypes of E. coli did appear during the period of sterile diet. The possible sources of these are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

References

REFERENCES

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