TRANSFER OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE FROM ANIMAL AND HUMAN STRAINS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI TO RESIDENT E. COLI IN THE ALIMENTARY TRACT OF MAN

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance (R factors) was transferred to the resident Escherichia coli in the alimentary tract of a human being from cultures of E. coliof animal and human origin taken in large doses by mouth. The amount of transfer that occurred was small and the resistant resident organisms did not persist in the alimentary tract for long. The animal strains were poorer than the human strains at colonising the alimentary tract.