| Antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli are found in most fecal samples from the normal population. The present study tested the hypothesis that antibiotic-resistant bacteria come from contaminated food. Six healthy volunteers ate a sterile diet for 3 weeks after a control period. The fecal incidence of resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, and streptomycin in lactose-fermenting enteric bacilli was determined daily. During the control period, the populations of fecal resistant lac+ enteric bacilli varied with time, periodically reaching a high level of 108 per gram. After the start of the sterile diet, the fecal concentration of resistant bacteria dropped. Three days later, no resistant strain could be detected in the feces of three volunteers, whereas in those of the other three, some could be detected sporadically. The sterile diet reduced the number of resistant bacilli in all volunteers (p<0.001). Thus, most fecal resistant lac+ enteric bacilli come from contaminated food: transient strains enter the intestines with food and are excreted in feces. |
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