Fungal Flora of the Normal Human Small and Large Intestine

Abstract

Cultures of 86 specimens (including 23 oropharyngeal, 26 jejunal, 20 ileal and 17 fecal samples in 27 normal adults showed Candida albicans to be the most frequent fungus in high concentrations in all areas sampled. Both the frequency and concentration of C. albicans increased progressively from the oropharynx to the colon: 30 per cent in the oropharynx, 54 per cent in the jejunum, 55 per cent in the ileum and 65 per cent in the fecal specimens. C. albicans, in concentrations of 102 colonies per milliliter or greater, were encountered in 27 per cent of oropharyngeal, 43 per cent of jejunal, 50 per cent of ileal and 59 per cent of colonie specimens. The stability of the mycofloral pattern of the small intestine was demonstrated in five subjects who were resampled five to nine months after the initial studies; the fungal pattern was qualitatively and quantitatively unchanged.