Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 8, 2026

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
08:33

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: November 17, 2018

[Study of intestinal microflora in children with acute and persistent diarrhea]

Y Garcia Cristia1, T Fragoso Arbelo, M Valdes-Dapena Vivanco

  • 1Instituto de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana.

Revista De Gastroenterologia Del Peru : Organo Oficial De La Sociedad De Gastroenterologia Del Peru
|January 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Altered enteric microflora, including bacterial overgrowth, is a significant risk factor for persistent diarrhea in infants. Microbiological analysis of duodenal content revealed both quantitative and qualitative changes in gut flora.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Persistent diarrhea in infants often has multifactorial or unidentified causes.
  • The role of enteric microflora alterations as a risk factor for diarrhea duration requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if changes in enteric microflora contribute to the persistence of diarrhea in infants.
  • To correlate duodenal microflora composition with clinical outcomes and nutritional status.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 30 infants with acute diarrhea and 30 with persistent diarrhea.
  • Collected duodenal content samples using a double-lumen tube for microbiological analysis.
  • Examined for enteric microorganisms, anaerobes, and Candida, correlating findings with nutritional status and stool cultures.

Main Results:

  • Identified quantitative and qualitative alterations in duodenal flora in both acute and persistent diarrhea groups.
  • Bacterial overgrowth in the duodenum was found to be a significant factor in persistent diarrhea.
  • Duodenal microflora analysis provided insights into the pathogenesis of prolonged diarrhea.

Conclusions:

  • Alterations in duodenal microflora, including bacterial overgrowth, play a crucial role in the persistence of diarrhea in infants.
  • Microbiological assessment of the gut flora is important for understanding and managing persistent diarrhea.
  • Further research into enteric microflora's impact on infant diarrhea is warranted.

More Related Videos

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model05:41

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model

Published on: April 6, 2022

Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates08:32

Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates

Published on: February 17, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Intestines01:53

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.Small IntestinesThe small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small intestine...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...