Fecal Microbial Flora Research Articles

Effects of fermented Chinese herb residues on growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum biochemical indices and faecal microbial flora in beef cattle

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fermented Chinese herb residues on the growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum biochemical indices and microflora of Simmental beef cattle during the fattening period. Twenty-four healthy Simmental beef cattle with an average body weight of 358.54 ± 65.63 kg were randomly divided into four treatment groups, with 6 replicates. The dietary treatments were as follows: I: basal diet; II, III and IV: 10% corn husk in the diet was replaced by Chinese herb residue, enzyme-fermented residue, and enzyme bacteria co-fermented residue, respectively. The experimental period was 49 days. There was no significant difference in the growth performance of beef cattle (p > 0.05). The ether extract (EE) apparent digestibility of groups III and IV was significantly higher than that of group I (p < 0.05); the apparent digestibility values of nitrogen free extract (NFE) and total phosphorus (P) in group IV were significantly lower than those in the other groups (p < 0.05). The maleic dialdehyde (MDA) contents in groups I and II were significantly higher than those in groups III and IV (p < 0.05). The ACE and Chao1 indices of groups I and III were significantly higher than those of groups II and IV (p < 0.05). The Shannon indices of groups I and III were significantly higher than that of group II (p < 0.05). The abundance of Firmicutes in group III was significantly lower than that in group II (p < 0.05). In conclusion, fermented Chinese herb residues could replace 10% corn husk and be used in beef cattle breeding.

ESBL producing &lt;em&gt;Escherichia coli&lt;/em&gt; prevalence in chicken stools in selected broiler farms in Galle district

Introduction: Most of the animals reared for food are reservoirs for Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing coliforms. ESBL producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) in chicken meat are increasing worldwide. Since the consumption of chicken in meals is higher compared to other livestock in Sri Lanka, there is a threat to transmit these organisms to humans via food. The aim of this study was to determine the ESBL producing E. coli prevalence in chicken stools and the presence of antibacterial substances in chicken feed and water in selected broiler farms in Galle district Methods: Eighty stool samples were collected from selected broiler farms in Galle district. Isolates were confirmed as E. coli on the lactose fermentation, colony morphology, Gram staining and biochemical tests. ESBL production was detected according to the CLSI double disc diffusion method. Ready to serve chicken feed and water samples were collected and tested against two types of E. coli control cultures using agar well diffusion method to detect the effects of any antibacterial substances. Results: Eighty-six different types of E. coli were isolated from 80 chicken stool samples. There were no ESBL producers among all isolated E coli. There was no antibacterial activity demonstrated in food or water served for chicken except for in one farm. The percentage distribution of fecal microbial flora as well as their density was altered in the farm where antibiotics were used in chicken feed. Conclusions: No ESBL producing E. coli were detected in chicken stool in the selected broiler farms of Galle district indicating the minimum risk of transmission of ESBLs to the human via consumption of chicken meat.

Inclusion of Lactobacillus salivarius strain revealed a positive effect on improving growth performance, fecal microbiota and immunological responses in chicken.

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that when administered in an appropriate amount, provide health benefits to the host. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the oral administration of Lactobacillus salivarius (L. salivarius) on growth performance, immunological responses, fecal microbial flora and intestinal mucosal morphology in chickens. Chickens were fed with 109 colony-forming units (CFUs) of wild-type (WT) L. salivarius or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 5weeks. Chickens body weight was significantly increased by administration of L. salivarius groups compared than control group. The microbial taxonomy in the small intestine and cecum was identified via the chicken feces sample. A total of 286,331 bacterial species were obtained from the chicken fecal samples in overall experimental group. From these, 145,012 bacterial species were obtained from oral administration of L. salivarius treatment group, while 141,319 bacterial species were obtained from control group. Almost 98% of all 16S rRNA sequences from the chicken fecal sample of the two groups were classified into known phyla. Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were highly abundant in both groups. Compared with the control birds, the chickens orally administered L. salivarius showed no significant differences in villus length and crypt length. Serum concentrations of the cytokines IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-4 were markedly reduced in the L. salivarius group. In summary, our findings reveal that L. salivarius can act as a potential probiotic to improve performance and overall gut health in of chickens.

Bacterial urinary tract infection and subclinical bacteriuria in the dog: a current review

Bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common clinical presentation in dogs and a frequent reason for the prescription of antimicrobial drugs. UTI refers to adherence, multiplication and persistence of an infectious agent within the urogenital system. This causes an associated inflammatory response as well as the pertaining clinical signs. Depending on the site of infection, UTI's may be classified as bacterial cystitis, prostatitis or pyelonephritis. In contrast, subclinical bacteriuria (SB) is defined as the presence of a significant number of bacteria in the urine of an individual not showing clinical signs referrable to UTI. UTI's typically occur as a consequence of ascending pathogen migration from the host's own fecal or distal urogenital microbial flora. The most commonly isolated pathogen in cases of UTI and SB is Escherichia coli. The diagnosis is based on clinical signs and the results of urine examination and culture. The recently revised guidelines of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases provide detailed recommendations for diagnosis and management of different forms of bacterial UTI's in dogs. Adherence to treatment guidelines will improve treatment success and is imperative in avoiding further deterioration of the antimicrobial resistance situation.

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant enzyme activity, and fecal microbial flora in growing pigs fed diets containing Spirulina

The present experiment was to evaluate the effects of dietary Spirulina (SP) supplementation in growing pigs. A total of 140 pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc, 25.32 ± 1.36 kg] were randomly distributed to one of four treatments: control, basal diet; treatment 1, basal diet + 0.025% SP; treatment 2, basal diet + 0.050% SP; and treatment 3, basal diet + 0.100% SP. Growing pigs fed 0.050% SP diet had greater (P &lt; 0.05) body weight and fecal Lactobacillus counts compared with pigs fed basal diet. Average daily gain and gain to feed ratio were greater (P &lt; 0.05) in pigs fed 0.050% and 0.100% SP diets as compared with pigs fed basal diet. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity for pigs fed 0.050% SP diet tended to increase compared with pigs fed basal diet (P &lt; 0.10). Pigs fed 0.025%, 0.050%, and 0.100% SP had a higher (P &lt; 0.05) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity than pigs fed basal diet. In conclusion, SP supplementation improved growth performance and ATTD of DM, increased the SOD and GPx activity, and enhanced the fecal Lactobacillus counts in growing pigs.

Species diversity of fecal microbial flora in Canis lupus familiaris infected with canine parvovirus

Parvovirosis is a highly contagious disease in dogs, often causing acute hemorrhagic enteritis and altering the intestinal microflora. In this study, real-time PCR was used to detect the viral copy numbers in dogs diagnosed with the disease. Hematological and hemobiochemical parameters were also determined. The species and abundances of the fecal microbial flora in both sick and healthy dogs were determined and compared via metagenomic sequencing. The viral copy numbers in the sick dogs were infected with little difference in the positive samples. The blood coagulation time was significantly shorter and the number of white blood cells was significantly greater in the sick dogs. The serum calcium content was slightly increased and the phosphorus content was reduced in the sick dogs. The LDH and CK activities were significantly elevated in the sick dogs. Metagenomic sequencing and analysis revealed relatively more Escherichia, Lachnoclostridium, gnavus group (Ruminococcus), and uncultured_bacterium_f_lachnospiraceae in the infected dogs, whereas the abundance of Collinsella was relatively reduced. Alloprevotella and Sutterella were absent among the fecal microorganisms of the infected dogs. The relative abundances of Romboutsia, Erysipelatoclostridium, Anaerotruncus, and Blautia were significantly increased in the infected dogs. Functional analysis of the metagenomes of the samples indicated a significant enrichment of the ‘replication, recombination and repair’, ‘nucleotide transport and metabolism’, ‘transcription’, and ‘defense metabolism’ functions in the fecal microbial flora of the infected dogs. In summary, this study provides a scientific theoretical basis for preventing and controlling diarrhea caused by the canine parvovirus.

Effects of dietary supplementation with Pediococcus acidilactici ZPA017 on reproductive performance, fecal microbial flora and serum indices in sows during late gestation and lactation.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with Pediococcus acidilactici (P. acidilactici) ZPA017 as a probiotic on reproductive performance, fecal microbial flora and serum indices in sows during late gestation and lactation.MethodsA total of 94 sows (Large White×Yorkshire, average 4.50 parities) were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments: control diet and the diet supplemented with P. acidilactici ZPA017 (2.40×109 colony-forming unit/kg of diets). The study started at d 90 of gestation and conducted until d 28 of lactation.ResultsCompared to sows fed the control diet, supplementation of P. acidilactici ZPA017 increased the number of weaning piglets, weaning weight of litter and piglets, survival rate of piglets at weaning (p<0.05), and decreased diarrhea rate of piglets in lactation (p<0.05). Dietary P. acidilactici ZPA017 increased fecal Lactobacillus populations (p = 0.030) and reduced fecal Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus populations (p<0.05) of sows at weaning. Moreover, the supplementation of P. acidilactici ZPA017 increased serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A and total protein (p<0.05), while decreased serum haptoglobin concentration and alanine aminotransferase activity (p<0.05) of sows at weaning.ConclusionAdministration of P. acidilactici ZPA017 in diets during late gestation and lactation had positive effects on the reproductive performance, intestinal microflora balance and immunity of sows.

Impact of rare earth element-enriched yeast on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and fecal microflora in finishing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of rare earth element-enriched yeast (RY) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and fecal microbial flora in finishing pigs. A total of 100 finishing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] were used in a two-phase feeding trial. Pigs were randomly assigned to five treatments according to their initial body weight (five pens per treatment, two gilts and two barrows per pen). Treatments were basal diets, free of antibiotics [negative control (NC)]; NC + 500, 1000, and 1500 mg kg−1, respectively, of RY; antibiotics diets, NC + 500 mg kg−1 of tiamulin [positive control (PC)]. Overall, average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased linearly with increasing level of RY in diets. At the end of the experiment, blood lymphocyte concentration and apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and gross energy increased linearly in pigs fed the increasing level of RY in diets. The better ADG, G:F, and fecal Lactobacillus counts were observed in both RY and PC groups compared with the NC group. In conclusion, diets with RY improved growth performance, digestibility, blood lymphocyte counts, and fecal Lactobacillus counts in finishing pigs, and RY may be considered as an alternative to antibiotics.

Fecal microbiota of lambs fed purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea Vent.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa).

The present study assessed the effect of purple prairie clover (PPC) and PPC condensed tannins (CT) on the fecal microbiota of lambs using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. A total of 18 individual lambs were randomly divided into three groups and fed either green chop alfalfa (Alf), a 40:60 (DM basis; Mix) mixture of Alf and PPC, or Mix supplemented with polyethylene glycol (Mix-P) for 18days. Fecal samples were collected on days 13 through 18 using digital rectal retrieval. The DNA of fecal samples was extracted and the microbial 16S rRNA gene amplicons were sequenced using 454 pyrosequencing. Regardless of diet, the bacterial community was dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes with many sequences unclassified at the genus level. Forage type and CT had no effect on the fecal microbial composition at the phylum level or on α-diversity. Compared to the Alf diet, the Mix diet reduced the relative abundance of Akkermansia (P=0.03) and Asteroleplasma (P=0.05). Fecal microbial populations in Alf and Mix-P clustered separately from each other when assessed using unweighted UniFrac (P<0.05). These results indicate that PPC CT up to 36g/kg DM in the diet had no major effect on fecal microbial flora at the phyla level and exerted only minor effects on the genera composition of fecal microbiota in lambs.

224 Effects of mixture of organic acids and medium chain fatty acids on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, and fecal microbial flora in weaning pigs orally challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88

224 Effects of mixture of organic acids and medium chain fatty acids on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, and fecal microbial flora in weaning pigs orally challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88

Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs.

Antibiotics used as growth promoters in livestock have been banned in the European Union since 2006. Antibiotics alternatives have focused on probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. The concentration of L. acidophilus is considered crucial for obtaining the desired effects. However, limited studies have been conducted to test the dose-dependent effects of L. acidophilus. Therefore, the present study aimed to test the dose-dependent effects of L. acidophilus on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial flora and fecal noxious gas emission in weaning pigs. Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy, and Lactobacillus counts compared to the basal diet treatment, and a linear effect (P < 0.05) was observed on those criteria. Escherichia coli counts and NH3 emission were decreased (P < 0.05) by L. acidophilus supplementation, and a linear effect (P < 0.05) was observed on E. coli counts. These results suggest that L. acidophilus could be used as an antibiotic alternative by improving growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gut balance (i.e. increased Lactobacillus counts and decreased E. coli counts), and decreasing NH3 emission, of weaning pigs. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparison effects of dietary iron dextran and bacterial-iron supplementation on growth performance, fecal microbial flora, and blood profiles in sows and their litters.

This study was conducted to compare effects of dietary administration of iron dextran and bacterial-iron on growth performance, fecal microbial flora, and blood profiles in sows and their litters. A total of 20 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted into two treatments: (i) ID (basal diet, piglets were injected with iron dextran); (ii) BR (basal diet + bacterial-iron; bacterial-iron was given to sows, piglets were not injected with iron dextran). There were five replicates per treatment with two sows per replicate. No differences were observed on sow and piglet growth performance, fecal microbial flora as well as sow blood profiles between ID and BR treatments. In piglets, blood iron, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in ID treatment were higher (P < 0.05) on days 12 and 24. Furthermore, concentration of white blood cells in BR treatment was lower (P < 0.05) on day 12. However, the percentage of lymphocytes on day 12 was increased (P < 0.05) in BR treatment. In conclusion, effect of iron dextran and bacterial-iron has no difference on growth performance in lactating sows and piglets, but iron dextran injection has higher blood iron, white blood cell, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in piglets.

Effects of dietary supplementation of selenium-enriched probiotics on production performance and intestinal microbiota of weanling piglets raised under high ambient temperature.

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of selenium-enriched probiotics (SeP) on production performance and intestinal microbiota of piglets raised under high ambient temperature. Forty-eight cross-bred weanling piglets (28 days old), randomly allotted into 12 pens (four piglets/pen) and four dietary treatments (three pens/treatment group), were fed ad libitum for 42 days a basal diet (Con) or the basal diet supplemented with probiotics (Pro), sodium selenite (ISe) or a SeP preparation. Blood and faecal samples were collected on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 post-treatment. The SeP group had higher final BW (p < 0.05), greater ADG (p < 0.05) and lower FCR (p < 0.01) than the Pro, ISe or Con group. The diarrhoea incidence rate of either SeP or Pro group was lower (p < 0.01) than the ISe or Con group. Blood Se concentration and GSH-Px activity were both higher (p < 0.01) in the SeP than in the Pro, ISe or Con group. On days 28 and 42, the serum concentrations of T3 were higher (p < 0.01) and T4 lower (p < 0.01) in the SeP than in the ISe group, and the T3 and T4 concentrations in the ISe group, in turn, were higher (p < 0.05) and lower (p < 0.01), respectively, than in the Pro or Con group. Also on days 28 and 42, the faecal counts of lactobacillus bacteria were higher (p < 0.01) while Escherichia coli lower (p < 0.01) in the SeP or Pro group as compared to the ISe or Con group. The results of RFLP showed that the faecal microbial flora in the SeP group changed the most (numerically) as compared to the Pro or ISe group. These results suggest that the SeP product may serve as a better alternative to antibiotics than the solo probiotics for using as a growth promoter for weanling piglets.

Effect of direct-fed microbial on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal noxious gas emission, fecal microbial flora and diarrhea score in weanling pigs

Abatract A total of 168 weanling pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight of 7.90 ± 0.92 kg (28 d of age) were used in a 28-d trial to determine the effects of dietary Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus plantarum complex supplementation on different parameters of piglets after weanling. Pigs were allotted randomly to 1–4 dietary treatments: (1) negative control (NC), basal diet, (2) positive control (PC), NC + 0.01% apramycin, (3) NC + 0.1% probiotics (L. reuteri and L. plantarum complex) (RP1), and (4) NC + 0.2% probiotics (RP2). There were 7 pens per treatment with 6 pigs/pen (3 gilts and 3 barrows). From d 0 to 14, pigs fed PC diet had a greater (P

Expression and implication of toll-like receptors TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 in colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) family may play important roles in inflammatory bowel disease. This study examined the expression of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 in the colonic tissues of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and explored their roles in the pathogenesis of UC. Colonic biopsies were taken from the colon of 30 patients with mild or moderate UC (at active phase) and 10 healthy controls during colonoscopy. TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 protein expression levels were immunohistochemically detected. The mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The disease activity index (DAI), colonoscopic and histologic grades and fecal microbial flora were determined. Histological examination showed that the intestinal mucous membrane of UC patients underwent acute inflammation changes. Immunohistochemistry exhibited that the expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 in colon epithelia and inflammatory cells were higher in UC patients than in control group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 were increased in UC patients but were not detected in the normal controls. Expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 were positively correlated, and bore close correlation with DAI, colonoscopic and histologic grades and fecal microbial flora. An important mechanism of UC might be that abnormal activation of mucosal immunity by intestinal dysbacteriosis caused dysregulation of TLRS that mediates innate immunity.

Evaluation of dietary fructan supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, fecal microbial flora, and fecal noxious gas emission in finishing pigs

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary fructan supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, fecal microbial flora, and fecal noxious gas emission in finishing pigs. A total of 96 finishing pigs [(Yorkshire×Landrace)×Duroc] with an average BW of 73.1±2.5 kg were used in a 6-wk study. Pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: 1) CON, basal diet, 2) CON+1% fructan (FC1), and 3) CON+2% fructan (FC2) with 8 replicate pens per treatment and 2 barrows and 2 gilts per pen. During the overall study, pigs fed the fructan supplementation diets had a greater (P<0.05) ADG, G:F, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM and GE than pigs fed the CON diet. The levels of fructan supplementation did not affect growth performance and ATTD of DM, N, and GE. Fecal E. coli concentrations in the fructan treatments were lower (P<0.001), while fecal Lactobacillus concentrations in the fructan treatments were greater (P<0.001) compared with the CON treatment. Fecal ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions were lower (P<0.05) in d 3, 5, and 7 in the fructan treatments, and total mercaptans emission was lower (P<0.05) on d 3 and 5 compared with the CON treatment. In conclusion, fructan supplementation improved growth performance and ATTD of DM and GE, improved the fecal microbial balance, and inhibited the fecal E. coli. Furthermore, fructan may decrease fecal noxious gas emissions by finishing pigs.

Effects of Lactobacillus Salivarius LS01 (DSM 22775) Treatment on Adult Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by xerosis, pruritus and eczema. The role of probiotics in the prevention and the treatment of AD have been extensively studied in children with controversial results while there are few studies on an adult population. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the intake of a probiotic strain (Lactobacillus salivarius LS01) in the treatment of adult patients with AD. A group of 38 patients was treated with probiotics or placebo (maltodextrin) for 16 weeks. The study was performed from January (T0) to May, 2009 (T16). The assessment of efficacy was based on change in SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) index, dermatology life quality index (DLQI) improvement, cytokine production by PBMCs and ability to modify faecal microbial flora. No significant adverse events were recorded during the study. Patients treated with probiotics showed a statistically improvement of both clinical parameters (SCORAD p&#x003C;0.0001 and DLQI p= 0.021) at the end of treatment (T16) compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, after four months of treatment there was a significant reduction of Th1 cytokines (IL-12+IFNgamma) (p= 0.03) and Th1/Th2 ratio (IL-12+IFNgamma/IL-4+IL-5) (p= 0.019) only in placebo-treated patients. A statistically relevant decrease of staphylococci in faeces of the probiotictreated group was also observed at the end of treatment. In our study, the administration of L. salivarius LS01 was well tolerated and was associated with a significant improvement of clinical manifestation and QoL. This probiotic strain could have an important role in modulating Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles and could be considered as an important adjunctive therapy in the treatment of adult AD.

Improvement of environmental quality in intensive pig farming through an integrated bioactivation program for the control and prevention of swine mycoplasmal pneumonia

The decline of pig health status is the effect of a bad air quality inside breeding facilities related to the concentration of biogases derived from the action of faecal microbial flora on urine nitrogen. Bioactivation of the environment with bacterialenzymatic mixtures is able to reduce this chemical emanation. An experimental trial has been performed to evaluate the efficacy of the bioactivation treatment to prevent mycoplasmal pneumonia in finishing pigs. Treated and untreated groups, different treatment schemes and different floors have been compared. The ammonia concentration was checked by a chemical method. M. hyopneumoniae infection was evaluated through seroprevalence and by a quantitative lung-scoring system. For all slaughter-lots average carcass weight was recorded. The decrease of the environmental ammonia concentration resulted in lower lungscores and higher carcass weight.

Fecal microbial flora in colorectal cancer

The human bowel contains a large and dynamic bacterial population (more than 500 species of bacteria). Some intestinal bacteria such as Streptococcus bovis,Enterococcus spp., Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium perfringens have previously been suggested to be implicated in the promotion of colon carcinogenesis probably through the conversion of mutagen metabolites. In this study 30 patients with colorectal cancer confirmed by colonoscopy examination and pathological methods were evaluated. In control group, 30 healthy people matched by sex and age with the patient group were identified. Fecal samples were collected from patient and control groups and were cultured in specific and non-specific culture media (aerobic and anaerobic conditions) organisms were isolated by microbial and biochemical methods. S. boviswas the predominant fecal microbial flora in 9 of the patients (39.1%) and 6 of the control group (26.1%) P = 0.657. Entrococcus spp. was the predominant fecal microbial flora in 6 of the patients (26.1%) and 2 of the control group (8.7%) P=0.657. Bacteroides fragilis was the predominant fecal microbial flora in 8 of the patients (21.6%) and 2 of the control group (5.4%) P= 0.062 C. perfringens was the predominant fecal microbial flora in 11 of the patients (29.7%) and 16 of the control group (43.2%) P=0.062. Based on our sample size in this study, the results, when analyzed using Fisher statistical analysis, showed that the incidences of fecal S. bovis, Enterococcus, B. fragilis andC.perfringens in colorectal cancer were not significantly higher than healthy people. Key words: Colorectal cancer, fecal microbial flora, Streptococcus bovis, Enterococcusspp., Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium perfringens.

Pyrosequencing study of fecal microflora of autistic and control children

There is evidence of genetic predisposition to autism, but the percent of autistic subjects with this background is unknown. It is clear that other factors, such as environmental influences, may play a role in this disease. In the present study, we have examined the fecal microbial flora of 33 subjects with various severities of autism with gastrointestinal symptoms, 7 siblings not showing autistic symptoms (sibling controls) and eight non-sibling control subjects, using the bacterial tag encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing (bTEFAP) procedure. The results provide us with information on the microflora of stools of young children and a compelling picture of unique fecal microflora of children with autism with gastrointestinal symptomatology. Differences based upon maximum observed and maximum predicted operational taxonomic units were statistically significant when comparing autistic and control subjects with p-values ranging from <0.001 to 0.009 using both parametric and non-parametric estimators. At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes showed the most difference between groups of varying severities of autism. Bacteroidetes was found at high levels in the severely autistic group, while Firmicutes were more predominant in the control group. Smaller, but significant, differences also occurred in the Actinobacterium and Proteobacterium phyla. Desulfovibrio species and Bacteroides vulgatus are present in significantly higher numbers in stools of severely autistic children than in controls. If the unique microbial flora is found to be a causative or consequent factor in this type of autism, it may have implications with regard to a specific diagnostic test, its epidemiology, and for treatment and prevention.