The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 13, Issue 2 247-256, Copyright © 1980 by Society for General Microbiology
Bacterial flora of the jejunum: a comparison of luminal aspirate and mucosal biopsy
P. Bhat, M. J. Albert, D. Rajan, J. Ponniah, V. I. Mathan and S. J. Baker
The aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flora grown from 40 human jejunal
aspirates were compared with the flora grown from an intestinal mucosal
biopsy obtained simultaneously from the same level. In four paired samples
the flora was identical; in nine the flora differed by only one organism.
In six pairs the flora differed by two organisms, and in 11 pairs by three
or more organisms. In nine pairs the jejunal aspirate grew only one
organism or was sterile, but the biopsy showed considerable numbers of
organisms. In one pair the jejunal aspirate grew organisms, but there was
no growth from the biopsy. It is apparent that for adequate bacteriological
study of the intestine, the flora at both sites should be investigated.
