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Impaired bacterial flora in human excluded colon
C Neut1, J F Colombel, F Guillemot
1Faculté de Pharmacie, Bactériologie, Lille, Faculté de Médecine, France.
Gut
|August 1, 1989
Summary
The rectal microflora in surgically excluded colorectums shows reduced bacterial diversity, particularly strict anaerobes. This altered gut microbiota may contribute to mucosal damage in diversion colitis patients.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Colorectal Surgery
Background:
- Surgical exclusion of the colorectum alters the intestinal environment.
- Diversion colitis is a known complication in patients with excluded colorectums.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the rectal microflora composition in patients with surgically excluded colorectums versus healthy controls.
- To investigate potential microbial factors contributing to mucosal changes in excluded colorectums.
Main Methods:
- Rectal swabs were collected from 16 patients with surgically excluded colorectums and 16 healthy controls.
- Bacterial cultures were performed to analyze the diversity and counts of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
- Patient causes for diversion included inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, and miscellaneous conditions.
Main Results:
- Total bacterial counts were similar, but bacterial diversity was significantly reduced in excluded colorectums.
- The reduction in diversity was primarily due to a decrease in strict anaerobes, including Eubacterium and Bifidobacterium.
- Aerobic Enterobacteriaceae were more frequently isolated in patients with excluded colorectums compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Surgical exclusion of the colorectum leads to a significantly altered rectal microflora with reduced diversity.
- The depletion of strict anaerobes and increase in Enterobacteriaceae may play a role in the pathogenesis of mucosal damage in excluded colorectums.
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