Bacteroidesspecies in the normal neonatal faecal flora

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Abstract
Summary: Bacteroidesspp. were isolated from the faeces of neonates and identified by rapid modifications of established conventional methods. Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli were recovered from 12 out of 16 neonates and a heavy growth ofBacteroidesspp. was obtained from all 12 specimens. Twelve representative isolates from each subject were selected for identification; 141 of the 144Bacteroidesisolates belonged to theB. fragilisgroup and three to theB. melaninogenicus/oralisgroup. Eight species were represented within theB. fragilisgroup.B. vulgatus(c.46%) andB. thetaiotaomicron(c.30 %) were the predominant species.B. fragilis, the type-species of the group, formed only a small proportion of neonatal faecal flora. The proportional representation of individual species were similar to that found in adults butB. asaccharolyticuswas not represented.