Prog Food Nutr Sci. 1983 ; 7(3-4): 127-31.

Influence of different dietary regimens upon the composition of the human fecal flora.

Noack-Loebel C, K�ster E, Rusch V, Zimmermann K.

The composition of the fecal flora in two groups of children in primary school age with (a) normal, ad libitum diet (school-group, 20 children), and (b) lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (Salem-group, 20 children) was examined. Fecal analysis was concentrated upon the isolation of the main anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms. The pattern of S-, M-, and R-forms of Enterobacteriaceae with special regard to E. coli was investigated additionally. In the school-group counts of Clostridium species, R-, and M- forms of E. coli were significantly higher than in the Salem-group. The numbers of Bifidobacterium, Actinomyces, and Enterobacteriaceae species, as well as S-forms of E. coli were significantly increased in the Salem-group, as compared to the school-children. The data reveal a relationship between the occurrence of different anaerobic species and the SMR-pattern of E. coli, with Clostridium species in particular. The SMR-pattern of E. coli may reflect conditions of intestinal metabolism and mucosal immunity. It may serve as a simple parameter in routine examination of fecal specimen.