Effect of temperature on survival of Bacteroides fragilis subsp. fragilis and Escherichia coli in pus

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Abstract
Approximately 40-60% of B. fragilis ssp. fragilis in pus from experimental intra-abdominal abscesses [in rats] lost their viability within 24 h when stored at refrigeration temperature (4.degree. C) either aerobically or anaerobically. No viability loss of B. fragilis was noted when pus was stored at 25.degree. C. Only slight loss of viability of B. fragilis was observed at 15.degree. C. E. coli coexisting in pus with B. fragilis increased several 100-fold in 24 h when stored at 25.degree. C, but no significant growth occurred when they were kept at 15.degree. C. Approximately 20-40% of E. coli lost their viability when such pus was stored at 4.degree. C; 15.degree. C may be an alternative temperature for storage of anaerobic specimens in laboratoreis when some delay in routine processing is unavoidable.