STUDY OF BACTERIAL FLORA OF THE ALIMENTARY TRACT OF CHIMPANZEES.
Abstract
Major bacterial flora inhabiting the throat and rectum of 25 to 40 vivarium stabilized chimpanzees resident in the vivarium at the 6571st Aeromedical Research Laboratories at Holloman Air Force Base were studied. A total of 70 rectal and 70 throat swabs were collected from 37 chimpanzees over a period of 13 months, and were cultured immediately in the field for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The data show that the throat and fecal flora of the chimpanzees is composed of about 44 different aerobes and at least 25 different varieties of anaerobes. The anaerobic flora was predominant over the aerobic flora by a wide margin in both the throat and feces, with the fecal samples containing many obligate anaerobes while the throat cultures were mainly facultative anaerobes. Variations in the composition of both the aerobic and anaerobic fecal flora of the chimpanzees, and to some extent the throat flora, occurred in certain sampling periods in a pattern which seemed to indicate that variations in season and the lack of introduction of new chimpanzees to the colony may influence the flora. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0456017
Entities
People
- Lorraine S. Gall