Abstract
Summary
The cecal content of germfree rats was analyzed for osmolarity, conductivity and concentrations of Na, K, Cl and carbon dioxide with the following results: referred to blood plasma, the osmolarity was slightly hypertonic, the conductivity was low and the concentrations of Na, Cl and carbon dioxide were low. The K concentration was about twice the plasma concentration. Mono-contamination with Clostridium difficile for 24 hours induced a reduction of the cecal size and changes in the composition of the cecal content. The conductivity, concentrations of Na, Cl and carbon dioxide increased proportional to the cecal size reduction. The osmolarity and K concentration remained unchanged. The content of terminal ileum of germfree rats showed a distinctly different ionic composition from that of the cecum and the concentrations were not affected by mono-contamination.
Miss Phyllis Wendland of The South Bend Medical Foundation for their courtesy in making available the chloridometer; and to Dr. Morris Wagner in this Laboratory and his group for help in the bacteriological procedures.
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