Fecal Bifidobacterium Levels in Elderly Nursing Home Patients

Are Levels as Expected?

Abstract

We assessed the fecal bifidobacteria concentrations of 21 nursing home subjects prior to death and 21 age- and sex-matched controls. Bifidobacterial levels, determined by molecular methods, were in the range of those usually found in adults. Total fecal bifidobacterial concentrations determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR tended to be lower, although not significantly, in subjects who subsequently died than in age- and sex-matched controls.