Abstract
Intestinal contents were obtained by direct sampling of syringe-aspirated material from the upper jejunum of 25 patients and the terminal ileum of 25 patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Only 5 (20%) specimens from the jejunum and 7 (28%) from the ileum were sterile. Streptococci and coliforms were the most frequent isolates from both sites, but the highest median counts were only 103 bacteria/ml and generally indicated no growth. The small intestine of man should not be presumed to be sterile.

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