The Fecal Bacteria
Editors: Michael J. Sadowsky1, Richard L. Whitman2Category: Applied and Industrial Microbiology; Environmental Microbiology
Ebook: Choose a downloadable PDF or ePub file. Chapter is a downloadable PDF file. File must be downloaded within 48 hours of purchase
The Fecal Bacteria offers a balanced, integrated discussion of fecal bacteria and their presence and ecology in the intestinal tract of mammals, in the environment, and in the food supply. This new volume covers their use in examining and assessing water quality in order to offer protection from illnesses related to swimming in or ingesting contaminated water, in addition to discussing their use in engineering considerations of water quality, modeling, monitoring, and regulations. Fecal bacteria are additionally used as indicators of contamination of ready-to-eat foods and fresh produce. The intestinal environment, the microbial community structure of the gut microbiota, and the physiology and genomics of this broad group of microorganisms are explored in the book.
With contributions from an internationally recognized group of experts, the book integrates medicine, public health, environmental, and microbiological topics in order to provide a unique, holistic understanding of fecal bacteria. Moreover, it shows how the latest basic science and applied research findings are helping to solve problems and develop effective management strategies. For example, readers will discover how the latest tools and molecular approaches have led to our current understanding of fecal bacteria and enabled us to improve human health and water quality.
The Fecal Bacteria is recommended for microbiologists, clinicians, animal scientists, engineers, environmental scientists, food safety experts, water quality managers, and students. It will help them better understand fecal bacteria and use their knowledge to protect human and environmental health. They can also apply many of the techniques and molecular tools discussed in this book to the study of a broad range of microorganisms in a variety of habitats.
Hardcover, 315 pages, four-color insert, illustrations, index.
-
Chapter 1 : The Fecal Environment, the Gut
- Authors: Denis O. Krause, Ehsan Khafipour
- More Less
-
Abstract:
This chapter examines the ecology of the digestive tract of humans and animals with particular reference to the association between anatomical structures, their related physiologies, the mode of feeding, and the functional association of specific microbial communities in different gut compartments of the digestive tract. A section provides the reader who is not familiar with the digestive tract, a brief, nonexhaustive summary of the major features of the digestive tract. The combination model is one in which the inefficiencies of foregut fermentation are translocated to the hindgut. In the competition model, exemplified by the meat eater, there is little hindgut fermentation but, in the combination model (exemplified by the horse, rabbit, and dugong), extensive fermentation in the cecum and colon is possible. The development of pregastric fermentation in herbivores is a very successful adaptation for animals consuming diets dominated by forages. In the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), the esophagus joins the pregastric chamber in close proximity to a sphincter-like muscular ring and most of the ingested food is deposited in this pregastric chamber. The rock hyrax (Procavia habessinica) is unique in that it has three fermentation compartments that are completely separated from one another anatomically. In humans, the consumption of plant cell walls is not nearly as common as in herbivores, but complex carbohydrates in the form of starches are consumed and, in fact, encouraged because of the benefit to gut heath.
-
Chapter 2 : Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Physiology of Fecal Indicator Bacteria
- Authors: Militza Carrero-Colón, Gene S. Wickham, Ronald F. Turco
- More Less
-
Abstract:
In studies of environmental quality, there are several different groups of bacteria frequently used as fecal indicators. The most widely applied approach is to use the group represented by the family Enterobacteriaceae (coliforms and fecal coliforms). Fecal indicators other than Escherichia coli, include members of the genus Enterococcus (formally fecal streptococci) and the anaerobic bacteria Clostridium perfringens, Bifidobacteria, and some members of the genus Bacteroides. Due to their widespread use as indictors of the quality of water and other environments, this chapter covers the phylogeny, taxonomy, and physiology of the key fecal indicator bacteria. E. coli and K. pneumoniae are specifically classified as fecal coliforms. The major set of phenotypic characteristics defining the Enterobacteriaceae family include the following: small gram-negative rods, facultative but preferring aerobic metabolism, oxidase negative, catalase positive, can reduce nitrates to nitrites, do not require Na+ for growth, can ferment D-glucose, and contain enterobacterial common antigens. Originally, classification of coliform bacteria was based on fermentation of sucrose and dulcitol, production of indole and acetylmethylcarbinol, and gelatin liquefaction. Functionally, enterococci are divided into five groups based on their ability to produce acid from mannitol and sorbose, and hydrolyze arginine. Bacteroides spp. are present in much greater numbers than E. coli, and can account for up to 30% of the total fecal isolates, with the most common species being B. vulgatus, B. distasonis, and B. thetaiotaomicron.
-
Chapter 3 : The Gut Microbiota: Ecology and Function
- Authors: Benjamin P. Willing, Janet K. Jansson
- More Less
-
Abstract:
This chapter focuses on the microbial ecology of the gut, with emphasis on information gleaned from recent molecular studies. Most attention has been devoted to bacterial components of the gut microbiota and, thus, they are the focus of this chapter. The first metagenomic study of the human gut resulted in 78 million base pairs of DNA sequences from two American individuals. This study cataloged the combined gene complement of the microbiome, including functional genes. A section discusses some dramatic differences that have been observed in the gut microbiota of infants that are fed formula compared to infants that are breast-fed. An interesting example of the importance of host physiology in shaping the composition of the microbiota was shown in reciprocal transplantations of gut microbiota between mice and zebrafish. The chapter primarily discusses Crohn's disease (CD) because of the large number of recent reports that have focused on the correlation of the gut microbiota to this particular disease. Therefore, the increased production of butyrate resulted in greater host responses to colonization. Although this model gave some new insights into the complex ecology of the gut microbiota, it is yet unclear whether the interactions observed between Eubacterium rectale and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron are representative of common interactions between Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. The study of genetically matched twins and defined model systems are examples of approaches that have promise to help define diagnostic targets and disease biomarkers.
-
Chapter 4 : Animals and Humans as Sources of Fecal Indicator Bacteria
- Authors: Christopher K. Yost, Moussa S. Diarra, Edward Topp
- More Less
-
Abstract:
This chapter talks about the distribution of the major indicator bacteria, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and a variety of anaerobes (including Clostridium perfringens, Bifidobacteria spp., and members of the Bacteroidales) in humans, in domesticated animals and birds, and in undomesticated animal hosts. Enterococci are gram-positive bacteria ubiquitously found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of animals, birds, and humans, as well as in soil and water. Enterococci are widely distributed among undomesticated mammals and birds, reptiles, and insects. Culture-independent analyses of total fecal bacterial microflora have been conducted with swine and equine samples using 16S rRNA gene libraries prepared from fecal DNA extracts and universal PCR primers for eubacterial 16S rRNA genes. A study by Fogarty and Voytek confirmed the presence of Bacteroidales in the feces of deer (Cervus sp.) inhabiting Virginia and West Virginia. In this study, feces were collected from 21 individual deer and extracted DNA was amplified with primers capable of amplifying 16S rRNA DNA from members of the Bacteroidales group. Fecal indicator bacteria shed by humans and domestic animals are subject to profound alteration of their abundance and characteristics by anthropogenic effects of antibiotic use and waste treatment.
-
Chapter 5 : Environmental Sources of Fecal Bacteria
- Authors: Muruleedhara N. Byappanahalli, Satoshi Ishii
- More Less
-
Abstract:
Despite regulatory requirements for treating wastewater to reduce microbial pollutants prior to release into waterways, frequent beach closures or advisories as a result of elevated fecal indicator bacteria (FIB; e.g., Escherichia coli and enterococci) have been a chronic problem at many recreational locations. This chapter provides a review of the research on environmental occurrences of FIB in a variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats under different geographic and climatic conditions, and discusses how these external sources may affect surface water quality. FIB are usually retained in the upper layer of soil depending on soil type, temperature, rate of water flow, and other environmental variables. Several microbial source tracking studies have identified wildlife as an important nonpoint source of FIB; however, identifying and partitioning these contaminants by source has been challenging. Future research on colonization potential, growth requirements, microbial interactions, and population genetics, can shed more light on FIB occurrence in natural environments. The persistence and potential growth of indicator bacteria in sediments and soils likely have a serious impact on recreational water quality by elevating bacterial counts through resuspension and surface runoff. Since large quantities of wastes generated from animal husbandry activities, such as poultry, dairy, and swine production, are often spread over the land as a fertilizer, these processes may result in an increase of microbial contaminants in the soil that, in turn, could potentially affect the quality of nearby water bodies.
-
Chapter 6 : Physical and Biological Factors Influencing Environmental Sources of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Surface Water
- Authors: Richard L. Whitman, Meredith B. Nevers, Katarzyna Przybyla-Kelly, Muruleedhara N. Byappanahalli
- More Less
-
Abstract:
Early studies that examined the survival of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in water and their potential impact on water quality were focused on the influence of point source (sewage) contamination and dilution in the nearshore coast. Wave action is one of the primary means by which Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria may be transported from distant source water to beach sand. Alderisio and DeLuca found that the potential impact of fecal coliforms from bird feces is not only related to the numbers and types of birds, but also to the duration and time of day that the birds roost on the surface water and their defecation rates. Microbial occurrence, survival, and growth in natural environments such as soil, sediments, and water are influenced by various physical, chemical, and biological factors, the extent of which may vary by environment. A section in the chapter addresses how environmental factors, such as temperature, moisture, predation, and competition, influence the population dynamics of FIB in the environment. A number of complex and often interrelated physical processes control the levels of FIB in nearshore waters including turbulent diffusion and dispersion, alongshore transport, dilution, advection, sedimentation, and resuspension. These physical processes control the distribution of FIB in recreational water, which influences estimates of nearshore beach water quality.
-
Chapter 7 : Impacts of Fecal Bacteria on Human and Animal Health—Pathogens and Virulence Genes
- Author: Timothy J. Johnson
- More Less
-
Abstract:
The presence of pathogens in our food and water supplies represents a significant risk to human and animal health. This chapter focuses on the most commonly occurring human pathogens of Enterobacteriaceae, such as Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, Shigella, and Yersinia spp. Of these, special attention is given to pathogenic E. coli, which is the most diverse and studied member of Enterobacteriaceae. The types of disease caused by E. coli are grossly classified as either intestinal or extraintestinal. Six pathotypes of intestinal pathogenic E. coli are recognized, each with virulence factors making them distinct. Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli, or ExPEC, is a broad group of pathogens that colonize the extraintestinal compartment of animal and human hosts, resulting in such diverse conditions as urinary tract infection, meningitis, peritonitis, and septicemia. Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC; sometimes referred to as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC, or members thereof ) are another diarrheal pathotype, well known for their ability to cause diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis (HC), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This chapter focuses on the pathogens and virulence genes of the Salmonella serovars implicated in foodborne gastroenteritis. It also focuses on the virulence genes of these pathogens with regard to genomic content. Already underway, the postgenomic era will lead to a better understanding of the importance of these genomic traits as they pertain to infection within humans.
-
Chapter 8 : Modeling Fate and Transport of Fecal Bacteria in Surface Water
- Authors: Meredith B. Nevers, Alexandria B. Boehm
- More Less
-
Abstract:
This chapter provides a basic review of deterministic and empirical statistical modeling and their application for predicting microbiological surface water quality. The key to deterministic model development is the conceptualization of the various processes affecting fate and transport of fecal bacteria in the environment. Several different types of deterministic models have been applied to fecal bacteria in surface waters. A simplified conceptual model for fecal bacteria in surface water is presented. The chapter describes various processes that affect the fate and transport of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in surface waters and provide examples of their mathematical parameterization. The movement of bacteria from one water parcel to another occurs because of advection, diffusion, and dispersion. Advection is the movement of bacteria with water. In surface waters, velocities must be measured using flow meters to gain insight into the importance of advection. Kinetic models have been used extensively to model particle aggregation in surface waters, but have not yet been applied to the study of fecal bacteria-particle interactions in surface waters. There are four steps in the development of a statistical model. First, appropriate predictors must be selected to be used as independent variables in the model. Second, the statistical method must be chosen (e.g., multiple linear regression, partial least squares regression, random forests). Third, the model must be trained, or developed. Finally, the model must be validated using an independent data set.
-
Chapter 9 : Microbial Source Tracking
- Authors: Valerie J. Harwood, Ryu Hodon, Jorge Santo Domingo
- More Less
-
Abstract:
This chapter uses the term microbial source tracking (MST) to collectively refer to a number of methods developed to specifically determine the sources of fecal contamination and/or fecal indicator bacteria in water, because the chapter focuses on the use of microbial-based assays, rather than analyzing for chemical compounds such as coprostanol or host animal genes (i.e., mitochondrial genes). The chapter outlines the scientific questions and regulatory needs that have led to the burgeoning growth of this area of environmental microbiology. A section discusses some of the new tools and approaches that can be used to examine environmental samples and how they can be used in tracking sources of fecal pollution. Nucleic acid microarrays can be used to screen for the presence of DNA or RNA (i.e., expression arrays) obtained from pure cultures or from complex microbial communities. The power of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) in combination with metagenomic sequencing data was illustrated in recent application in which the presence of Burkholderia-like bacteria was confirmed by comparing typing data with metagenomic sequences from the Sargasso Sea. A promising technology in source tracking and in microbial ecology in general, is called hierarchical oligonucleotide primer extension. This fingerprint technique uses combinations of hierarchical primers to target different bacteria within a phylogenetic group.
-
Chapter 10 : Prevalence and Fate of Gut-Associated Human Pathogens in the Environment
- Authors: Katherine G. McElhany, Suresh D. Pillai
- More Less
-
Abstract:
This chapter examines the available information concerning prevalence, survival, and, ultimately, fate of enteric bacterial pathogens in different environments and under various conditions. The bacterial pathogens discussed in this chapter are those known to have a water-based or water-mediated transmission route between the environment and humans. Animal contamination, especially by bird flocks, is believed to be a primary source of campylobacters in remote water environments and Campylobacter jejuni has been consistently isolated from wild bird populations. Sand in particular appears capable of supporting significant populations of enterococci, especially when compared to water. It is clear that enterococci are capable of multiplication under simulated environmental conditions; however, whether these types of conditions are ever naturally present in the environment is debatable. Studies suggest that Salmonella is capable of surviving for extended periods in the environment, especially within soil and livestock waste. The presence of bacteria in the environment is essentially dependent on two factors: loading and survival. Pathogenic Vibrio spp. are also clearly capable of persistence and growth within the aquatic environment. Many of the studies examining characteristics of enteric pathogens in the environment have focused on the presence of these organisms in aquatic environments and water supplies, perhaps because this is viewed as the most likely vector for human infection. Recent studies have presented novel, molecular-based approaches to detection or quantification of certain enteric pathogens.
-
Chapter 11 : Classical and Molecular Methods To Measure Fecal Bacteria
- Authors: Thomas A. Edge, Alexandria B. Boehm
- More Less
-
Abstract:
This chapter provides an overview of classical and molecular methods to detect and enumerate fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). It summarizes general field sampling and laboratory considerations for using FIB methods, outlines the more common laboratory approaches to measure FIB, describes methods for certain key FIB, identifies standard methods, and summarizes some considerations for using FIB methods in particular situations or environments. The chapter is limited to providing an overview of some of the more common molecular approaches that have been used to detect FIB. Molecular methods such as Immunological methods, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR) are also discussed. Although these new molecular methods are likely to remain research tools for years to come, they open up great potential for developing new FIB methods to expand the water quality assessment toolbox in the future. Advances in molecular methods offer potential to enumerate both culturable and non-culturable cells of Escherichia coli. The enterococci are a subgroup of the fecal streptococci. Growth of Pfizer selective enterococcus (PSE) isolates in brain-heart infusion broth confirms presence of enterococci. When collecting water samples, a maximum holding time of 24 hours has been proposed for enumerating Clostridium perfringens. Uncultured organisms that are genetically similar to cultured Bacteroides have gained popularity as indicator bacteria.
-
Chapter 12 : Fecal Bacteria and Foods
- Author: Francisco Diez-Gonzalez
- More Less
-
Abstract:
Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium, and coliphages have been proposed as fecal indicator bacteria for foods, but to this date E. coli continues to be used as the preferred indicator of fecal contamination. Although there is significant controversy whether the term "fecal indicator"; can be applied unequivocally to any of the groups of microorganisms discussed in this chapter, presently, most microbiologists agree on the value of testing some of them as general indicators of the quality and hygiene of foods. The characteristic IMViC profile of E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae classified as coliforms is provided in the chapter. Investigators often compared the usefulness of coliforms and enterococci as indicators of safety in foods. The term coliphages is used to refer to specific types of viruses or bacteriophages that are capable of infecting enteric bacteria and, specifically, E. coli. The rationale for the use of a fecal indicator microorganism is ultimately to signify the potential presence of pathogenic microorganisms. The distribution of fecal food-borne pathogens in animals is quite diverse. Although some bacteria have the unique ability to colonize the intestine of many different animal species, others are confined to a single or few species. The presence of other food-borne pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, is also tolerated in some foods, but for the most part the use of pathogenic bacteria as indicator microorganisms is not encouraged. With the advent of novel, rapid, sensitive, and specific genomic and metabolomictechniques, better alternatives may be soon be discovered.
-
Chapter 13 : Conclusions and Future Use of Fecal Indicator Bacteria for Monitoring Water Quality and Protecting Human Health
- Authors: Michael J. Sadowsky, Richard L. Whitman
- More Less
-
Abstract:
This chapter focuses on the future use of fecal indicator bacteria for monitoring water quality and protecting human health. The mammalian gastrointestinal (GI) tract is dominated by microorganisms from the following phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Verrumicrobia, and Fusobacteria, in a host-specific manner. The fecal indicator bacteria in the water column physically adsorb and desorb from particles and eventually make their way into soils, sediments, and sand. The negative impact of these pathogens on human health is likely to worsen in the future as many bacteria have been shown to have resistance to multiple antibiotics. Future applications of array-based technology to water quality monitoring will likely become more routine in the future and may soon obviate the use of fecal indicator bacteria as surrogates for pathogens. Deterministic modeling of fecal indicator bacteria in surface waters also needs more research, particularly on pathogen-particle interactions, bacterial inactivation and regrowth, and model validation. More research is also needed to better understand bacterial flux and patterns for modeling water quality at beaches and waterways impacted by nonpoint sources of bacteria. As the access to clean water is fundamental around the world, it is important to have suitable techniques for rapid and accurate detection and quantification of fecal indicator bacteria to protect water quality for drinking, recreational use, and food production.
There are no separately available contributors for this publication.
Click Here to Take a Look

American Biological Safety Association
25 March 2015
Having been mentored by J. Michael Janda and Sharon L. Abbott, authors of The Enterobacteria, I selected this book to examine other perspectives on the enteric bacteria. My goal was to find an additional reference book for training public health microbiologists and post-doctoral fellows. I found this book had both strengths and weaknesses.
The first few chapters review the digestive tracts of an assortment of animal species and identify the various segments of the intestine. The reader gains an understanding of where water is absorbed, where enzymes are produced/ released, and how carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are digested. A significant portion of these chapters is also dedicated to ruminant versus simple monogastric digestion, with fermentation covered primarily. Digestion in mammal species with cecal fermentation and cellulose breakdown are also reviewed, making these chapters an excellent read for animal science students. The practical application of this chapter is to provide more information on fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract; it allows the reader to gain a better understanding of cellulose breakdown.
An early chapter breaks down the enterococci, anaerobes, Bacteroides, and Bifidobacterium species, providing an overview of the microbiota encountered in the digestive tract. However, each organism is addressed again in later chapters that focus on the organism, disease syndromes, and sources of contamination. Perhaps a more powerful format would have been to avoid redundancy by grouping these chapters together in the beginning of the book. The later chapters covered each organism, disease syndromes, and source of contamination in more detail. The book also provides some information on antibiotic resistance, and the last few chapters on pathogenic enteric bacteria focused ontheir ability to contaminate food and water.
A few chapters in the middle of the book cite different research projects. Although the information on animal species is well described, sometimes the switching between discussions on humans and animals is confusing to the reader. Several chapters discuss modeling, quantitative methods, and recommend particular molecular methods for certain studies. These chapters will be of value to researchers in the field.
There are a few weaknesses in this book, for example, the graphics. And I think that the authors were trying to address several different target audiences; the viewpoint is not always clear. Also, I would have preferred more discussion on the classic methods for testing food for enterics. Since the taxonomy of many of these species has been a moving target, a table identifying their current names with recent nomenclature changes would have been of great value.
On the positive side, the authors spend a great deal of time elaborating on pathogenesis, organism descriptions, and the use of molecular methodologies, source tracking, and the impacts on human and animal health. Also, the references at the end of the chapters are quite useful. I recommend this book as a reference for the experienced food or water microbiologist but not for a first-time enteric bacteriology student.
Reviewer Channing D. Sheets Biosafety Consultant, San Francisco, California, USA
Review Date November 4th 2014
The Quarterly Review of Biology
09 June 2013
The diversity of microorganisms in the gut is large; despite this fact there is lack of appreciation for the gut biome due to our lack of understanding of the biology involved. The Fecal Bacteria unravels this long neglected black box of intestinal microbiota. This book is a compilation of chapters authored by various writers who provide an interdisciplinary understanding of the subject. The volume moves between different disciplines seamlessly, keeping the continuum of thoughts alive and making it easier for readers to find a connection between chapters.
The first chapter articulates the need to understand the comparative anatomy of mammalian guts in determining intestinal prokaryotes and eukaryotes species composition. Following chapters relate the gut microbiome to the diet and genotype of an individual. One of the main themes of the book is to shed light on the still controversial question of which microorganism should be used as an indicator of fecal contamination of water. Several chapters are directed to trying to answer this question, covering such important topics as survival limits of fecal bacteria in external environments and tracking their source populations.
The volume also outlines the research tools needed to study gut microbiota in terms of genetics, biochemistry, physiology, ecology, phylogenetics, and evolutionary biology. This was especially impressive because of its inclusion of a chapter on the ecology and evolution of these gut communities. Only recently has this important topic become a focus of numerous reviews in the literature. The description of the microbial phyla that are present in the gut and their phylogenetic relatedness is just one of the many fascinating topics in this book aimed at understanding the biology of these organisms.
With all that this volume offers, it must be said that jargon usage in some chapters will provide a daunting challenge to nonspecialists. However, this does not alter the fact that this book is an important tool for beginners, and a valuable tool for experts in the field, as it allows for a clear and broad comprehension of this engrossing and consequential topic.
The Quarterly Review of Biology
Reviewer: Omar Warsi, Ecology & Evolution, Ston
Review Date: March 2012
Doody Enterprises
07 June 2013
At A Glance
Fecal bacteria have classically been used for the determination of water safety, sanitary system functioning and environmental health. It is now apparent that the bacteria, both the indicator bacteria and fecal bacteria more generally, are ubiquitous and that other determinants of safety are required. This volume, which focuses on indicator organisms but also more broadly on fecal bacteria, reviews the state of the art, and will be of interest not only to basic scientists but to those in many fields who apply the science to manage environments and human health.
Description
This book reviews what we currently know about the bacterial species found in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract and the various methods used to evaluate the types and number of bacteria.
Purpose
Intended to provide an extensive understanding of fecal bacteria and how they influence the health of the host, this unique book on the interaction of bacteria with humans also presents the technical challenges of studying these bacteria.
Audience
Although written for scientists, this book would be appropriate for students as well.
Features
It begins by defining the environment of the mammalian gut and the ecology of bacterial populations in the gastrointestinal tract. It presents studies that have evaluated the variety of bacteria in the human intestinal tract which show that there are 800 to 1,000 different bacterial species in this area of the body. These bacteria, which make up approximately one kilogram of mass in the body, have a functional role in the digestive tract to both break down food substances and produce essential products that enhance the health of the host. Other studies reveal that, although there is a great deal of variation in the composition of gut microflora between individuals, the microflora is relatively stable over time in a single person. Additional studies demonstrate thatnthe genes of the microflora in the gastrointestinal tract outnumber the genes of the host by a hundred-fold. Several chapters describe the methods used to detect specific bacteria from the gut in the water supply that indicate fecal contamination.
Assessment
This unique book describes the study of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract as well as the benefits that the bacteria provide to the host. These bacteria have a significant impact on the host, and understanding the benefits of normal bacteria could provide insight into diseases of the gut.
Doody Enterprises
Reviewer: Rebecca Horvat, PhD, D(ABMM) (University of Kansas Medical Center)
Review Date: Unknown
©Doody’s Review Service
ASM Recommends
Customers Who Bought This Item
Also Bought