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In vitro stimulation ofBacteroides fragilis growth byEscherichia coli

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Abstract

The interaction betweenBacteroides fragilis andEscherichia coli was investigated by following their growth kinetics in an in vitro mixed culture system. In Bacto-peptone or in a semisynthetic medium (SSM-M)Bacteroides fragilis could initiate growth only when a small number of viableEscherichia coli initially coexisted for a short period of time. Both Bacto-peptone and SSM-M previously spent byEscherichia coli also allowedBacteroides fragilis growth to occur but the supplementation of heat killedEscherichia coli cells or viable cell homogenates to fresh media failed to stimulateBacteroides fragilis growth. The in vitro stimulation ofBacteroides fragilis growth byEscherichia coli observed in this study may be best explained by the combination of (a) removal of oxygen and other toxic substances and (b) de novo production ofBacteroides fragilis growth stimulating factor(s) by coexistentEscherichia coli.

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Author notes

  1. J. C. Hagen

    Present address: Department of Microbiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago, 60153, Maywood, Illinois, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago, 60153, Maywood, Illinois, USA

    T. Hashimoto

  2. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago, 60153, Maywood, Illinois, USA

    W. S. Wood

Authors
  1. J. C. Hagen
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  2. W. S. Wood
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  3. T. Hashimoto
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Hagen, J.C., Wood, W.S. & Hashimoto, T. In vitro stimulation ofBacteroides fragilis growth byEscherichia coli . Eur. J, Clin. Microbiol. 1, 338–343 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02019931

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