The main fatty acids present in lipopolysaccharides from Bacteroides fragilis NCTC 9343 were identified as 13-methyl-tetradecanoic, D-3-hydroxypentadecanoic, D-3-hydroxyhexadecanoic, D-3-hydroxy-15-methyl-hexadecanoic, and D-3-hydroxyheptadecanoic acids. Of these, 13-methyl-tetradecanoic acid is exclusively ester bound, and 3-hydroxy-15-methyl-hexadecanoic acid is exclusively involved in amide ...

The present study was aimed at disclosing the influence of Bacteroides fragilis (one of the most important bacterial agents causing colitis in children) experimental infection on the expression of substance P (SP) and somatostatin (SOM) in neurons and nerve fibres within the porcine ascending colon. Distinct differences in the distribution pattern of neural elements immunoreactive to the substa...

Out of 200 infections due to Bacteroides fragilis occurring over a period of three years 133 were related to the intestinal tract, 55 to the genitourinary tract, and the remainder were in bedsores and ulcers; 56% occurred in patients undergoing major intestinal surgery.B. fragilis was isolated in pure culture from 56% of the infections. In mixed culture it was most commonly associated with Kleb...

To evaluate the effects of parenteral cefoxitin therapy on human fecal flora, we cultured fecal specimens obtained from six patients before, during, and after therapy and used standard methods to identify and quantify all microorganisms. The major changes (observed in at least three patients) included the acquisition or proliferation of group D Streptococcus species, coagulase-negative Staphylo...

The aim of this study was to analyze the susceptibility trends to seven antibiotics of Bacteroides fragilis group isolates based on three survey studies performed by the Committee of Anaerobic Bacteria between 1989 and 2002. Fifty three, 82 and 65 B. fragilis group isolates were collected during each period. The antimicrobial agents included were: ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam (2:1), cefoxit...

The polysaccharide capsule of Bacteroides fragilis has been shown to be important in the virulence of the organism. The capsular polysaccharide (CP) of B. fragilis has been extensively purified. Using a murine model of intraabdominal abscess formation, we have been able to demonstrate cellular immunity to the capsular polysaccharide of B. fragilis. Immunization of C57BL/10J mice with the CP ove...

The serological properties of antigens extracted from strains of Bacteroides fragilis and related species belonging to several different deoxyribonucleic acid homology groups were investigated. Antisera prepared against Formalin-treated whole cell suspensions of representative strains were tested against cell suspensions, cell wall preparations, and extracts of homologous and heterologous strai...

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of two newer agents, ticarcillin and cefoxitin, against 204 recent clinical isolates of anaerobic bacteria was determined by an agar dilution technique, and compared to their related compounds carbenicillin, cephalothin, and penicillin, as well as metronidazole, clindamycin, and chloramphenicol. Ticarcillin was similar to carbenicillin, and cefoxitin was more...

The microbiota is a major source of protection against intestinal pathogens; however, the specific bacteria and underlying mechanisms involved are not well understood. As a model of this interaction, we sought to determine whether colonization of the murine host with symbiotic non-toxigenic Bacteroides fragilis could limit acquisition of pathogenic enterotoxigenic B. fragilis We observed strain...