Alteration of fecal bacterial flora following oral administration of bifidobacterial preparation

The fecal bacterial flora was examined in multiple stool specimens from 14 subjects with gastrointestinal disorders before, during and after the oral administration of bifidobacterial preparation (BBG, viableB. breve andB. bifidum, 3 × 109 or 6 × 109 per day) for 2 or 3 weeks. Enumerations of fecal bacterial flora showed no conspicuous alterations in total anaerobic bacterial counts during the BBG therapy, however the total number of bifidobacteria in feces increased significantly, and ofE. coli and other aerobacteria showed a tendency to decline. The administeredB. breve andB. bifidum were recovered in the feces at a concentration of 108/g and of 107 to 108/g, respectively. Both species continued to be excreted over 2 weeks after completion of the medication in the feces at concentrations of 106 to 107/g and of 105 to 106/g respectively, and diminished rapidly in 5 patients and continued at essentially the same level as during the medication in 6 patients. During the treatment the pH, urease activity and ammonia content in feces became lowered and showed a rerise after therapy. Symptomatic discomforts including abdominal distension and pain, anorexia, edema and fever of undetermined origin were reduced during the therapy. Urinalysis, hematological examinations and blood biochemical tests including blood ammonia level, however revealed no significant change.