Is There Postdefecation Bacteremia?

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Abstract
• An investigation was done to determine the incidence of postdefecation bacteremia. A study of 82 healthy volunteers was done. Among 164 predefecation cultures, only one (0.6%) from an anaerobic flask was positive for microorganism, which was identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis. In only two of 328 (0.6%) postdefecation cultures did microorganisms grow, which were shown to be Propionibacterium acnes. The results of this study suggest that either bacteremia after defecation does not occur or is a rare event in healthy individuals. (Arch Surg 114:937-938, 1979)