http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2012/05/01/do-gut-microbes-travel-from-person-to-person/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2012/05/01/do-gut-microbes-travel-from-person-to-person/#comment-32650 Karl A. Bettelheim Thu, 03 May 2012 13:55:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=36791#comment-32650 Researches carried out in the 1970' by my colleagues and myself have shown conclusively that bacteria can spread from baby to baby via the air and the persons handling them. While the spread of 'normal' E.coli appeared limited, when a pathogenic strain entered the ward its spread was far more extensive. It is a pity that the writers of this article did not look at these earlier studies and for their information I have written below references to the main papers on the topic and more papers are referred to in these references. 1. Bettelheim, K.A., Teoh-Chan, C.H., Chandler, M.E., O'Farrell, S.M., Rahamin, L., Shaw, E.J. & Shooter, R.A. 1974 Spread of Escherichia coli colonizing new-born babies and their mothers. Journal of Hygiene, Cambridge 73:383-387. 2. Bettelheim, K.A. & Lennox-King, S.M.J. 1976 The acquisition of Escherichia coli by newborn babies. Infection 4:174-179. 3. Bettelheim, K.A., Drabu, Y., O'Farrell, S., Shaw, E.J., Tabaqchali, S. & Shooter, R.A. 1983 Relationship of an epidemic strain of Escherichia coli 0125.H21 to other serotypes of E.coli during an outbreak situation in a neonatal ward. Zentralblatt für Bakteriologie Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, I. Abteilung Originale A 253:509-514. Researches carried out in the 1970′ by my colleagues and myself have shown conclusively that bacteria can spread from baby to baby via the air and the persons handling them. While the spread of ‘normal’ E.coli appeared limited, when a pathogenic strain entered the ward its spread was far more extensive. It is a pity that the writers of this article did not look at these earlier studies and for their information I have written below references to the main papers on the topic and more papers are referred to in these references.
1. Bettelheim, K.A., Teoh-Chan, C.H., Chandler, M.E., O’Farrell, S.M., Rahamin, L., Shaw, E.J. & Shooter, R.A. 1974 Spread of Escherichia coli colonizing new-born babies and their mothers. Journal of Hygiene, Cambridge 73:383-387.
2. Bettelheim, K.A. & Lennox-King, S.M.J. 1976 The acquisition of Escherichia coli by newborn babies. Infection 4:174-179.
3. Bettelheim, K.A., Drabu, Y., O’Farrell, S., Shaw, E.J., Tabaqchali, S. & Shooter, R.A. 1983 Relationship of an epidemic strain of Escherichia coli 0125.H21 to other serotypes of E.coli during an outbreak situation in a neonatal ward. Zentralblatt für Bakteriologie Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, I. Abteilung Originale A 253:509-514.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2012/05/01/do-gut-microbes-travel-from-person-to-person/#comment-32649 Craig Gosling Wed, 02 May 2012 20:54:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=36791#comment-32649 I thought it had been established that babies have their mothers bacteria and acquire more as they grow. Many animals including apes munch on their own and other species fecal material. Some marsupial pouch openings are situated near their anuses for easy access for their young. Calves could not digest without bacteria that digest milk and cellulose. I ingest digestive bacteria from time to time to insure good digestion, especially after taking antibiotics or being exposed to someone who has. I thought it had been established that babies have their mothers bacteria and acquire more as they grow. Many animals including apes munch on their own and other species fecal material. Some marsupial pouch openings are situated near their anuses for easy access for their young. Calves could not digest without bacteria that digest milk and cellulose. I ingest digestive bacteria from time to time to insure good digestion, especially after taking antibiotics or being exposed to someone who has.

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