Reliable sampling method for analysis of the ecology of the human alimentary tract.

An intubation method has been developed that allows removal of a sample of human intestinal fluid within a short period of time, that avoids contamination, and that minimizes exposure of the sample to air. Preliminary results obtained with this method have shown that the stomach and duodenum are essentially sterile and that the bacterial population present in the remainder of the small intestine is similar to that described by previous workers except that Veillonella species were encountered frequently and Haemophilus species were also detected in the lower jejunum and ileum of some individuals.