IMPORTANCE OF COLICINOGENY FOR THE COURSE OF ACUTE BACILLARY DYSENTERY

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 245  (4) , 469-475
Abstract
The development of acute bacillary dysentery was followed in 23 patients involved in 2 outbreaks and in 3 sporadic, mutually unrelated cases. Repeated cultivations performed at 2 day intervals for 10 days yielded 386 identifiable strains of opportunistic intestinal flora. Escherichia coli colicinogenic activity is 1 significant factor of gastrointestinal tract protection. The period of Shigella excretion is significantly reduced (P < 0.02) if an appropriate colicinogenic E. coli strain is present. In the absence of a suitable colicinogenic flora, neomycin therapy should be administered since it does not damage the natural colonizing flora (bacteroids, bifidobacters, aerobic lactobacilli); in the presence of a suitable colicinogenic flora, no antibiotic should be used as this would abolish the coliflora.