The physiological activity of human faecal flora evaluated by determination of germfree animal characteristics

Germfree animals exhibit specific physiological signs which have been labeled germfree animal characteristics. Such characteristics have been used in animals and in man to evaluate the influence of antibiotics on the intestinal flora. In order to evaluate the feasibility of using germfree animal characteristics in the evaluation of the intestinal flora in man, out-patients and hospitalized patients without gastrointestinal disorders were investigated. All patients were on a normal diet and had not been treated with antibiotics the year prior to the study. Samples of faeces were obtained at routine controls or after 10-14 days in hospital and analyzed for coprostanol to cholesterol ratios, mucin and stercobilin contents and proteolytic and tryptic activity. No differences were observed between out-patients and hospitalized patients. The germfree animal characteristics was of the same order of magnitude in man as in conventional animals.