FECAL FLORA OF PATIENTS WITH CROHN'S DISEASE UNTREATED AND TREATED WITH ELEMENTAL DIET

Abstract

Fecal flora of five patients with untreated Crohn's disease were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. In comparison with normal healthy subjects, the counts of bacteroidaceae, bifidobacteria, clostridia except Clostridium perfringens were remarkably decreased (p<0.01), while the counts of aerobes including enterobacteriaceae, micrococcaceae (p<0.01), and streptococci (p<0.05) were significantly increased. These results were considered to be secondary changes due to diarrhea rather than specific patterns of Crohn's disease.
Changes in fecal flora during treatment with elemental diet (ED), averaging fifty-five days in four patients with Chron's disease, were also studied. During treatment with ED the bacterial counts per gram of wet feces were greater compared with those after begining of oral digestion. However, average fecal volume per day during treatment was much smaller than after treatment. It was concluded that total intestinal bacterial counts were decreased duting treatment. Following treatment with ED, possible harmful changes of intestinal flora were noted. Especially, clostridia except Clostridium perfringens were significantly increased.