The quantitative and histological demonstration of pathogenic synergy between Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis in guinea-pig wounds. 1978

M J Kelly

Known numbers of standard strains of Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis were inoculated together into surgical incision in guinea-pigs. Histological and quantitative bacteriological proof is presented that pathogenic synergy occurred in vivo with copious pus formation when combinations of subinfective doses of each organism were inoculated. A further series of experiments showed that the amounts and ratios of E. coli and B. fragilis in the septic inocula were critical, and that the resultant pus contained equal numbers of both the aerobic and the anaerobic organisms. This model may be suitable for the experimental validation of short-term regimens of prophylactic antibiotics in surgery; the present results seem to have important therapeutic implications.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D004195 Disease Models, Animal Naturally-occurring or experimentally-induced animal diseases with pathological processes analogous to human diseases. Animal Disease Model,Animal Disease Models,Disease Model, Animal
D004926 Escherichia coli A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc. Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D004927 Escherichia coli Infections Infections with bacteria of the species ESCHERICHIA COLI. E coli Infections,E. coli Infection,Infections, E coli,Infections, Escherichia coli,E coli Infection,E. coli Infections,Escherichia coli Infection,Infection, E coli,Infection, E. coli,Infection, Escherichia coli
D005260 Female Females
D006168 Guinea Pigs A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research. Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001441 Bacteroides fragilis Gram-negative bacteria occurring in the lower intestinal tracts of man and other animals. It is the most common species of anaerobic bacteria isolated from human soft tissue infections.
D001442 Bacteroides Infections Infections with bacteria of the genus BACTEROIDES. Infections, Bacteroides,Bacteroides Infection,Infection, Bacteroides
D013492 Suppuration A pathologic process consisting in the formation of pus. Pus
D014946 Wound Infection Invasion of a wound by pathogenic microorganisms. Infection, Wound,Infections, Wound,Wound Infections

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