Enumeration of polysaccharide-degrading Bacteroides species in human feces by using species-specific DNA probes.

摘要: DNA probes that are specific for each of five predominant species human colonic Bacteroides (B. thetaiotaomicron, B. uniformis, distasonis, "Bacteroides group 3452-A", and ovatus) were used to detect enumerate these in fecal samples from two adult volunteers. These capable fermenting many the complex polysaccharides thought be sources carbon energy bacteria colon. Estimates concentrations some feces have not been previously available because difficulties differentiating spp. by conventional biochemical tests. Our results indicate all except ovatus present high numbers (greater than 10(9)/g [dry weight]) both However, more versatile polysaccharide-degrading within this organisms (7.6 X 10(9) 12.0 weight] thetaiotaomicron; 2.9 6.3 3452-A") did differ significantly less (1.2 10(10) 2.0 10(10)/g uniformis; 5.8 8.4 distasonis). was detectable our method. Since lower limit detection is approximately 1 2 (dry weight) feces, consistent with earlier estimates indicated concentration near or below value.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)