Observations on the in vivo and in vitro competition between strains of Escherichia coli isolated from the human gut

摘要

Regular exmination ofEscherichia coliin faecal samples provided information about the outcome of competitionin vivoand enabled two successful competing organisms to be selected forin vitrostudies. A continuous flow culture technique was used in an attempt to reproduce the interactions that occurred between these two strains in the human gut. Some success was achieved in showing that changes in the chemostat environment, similar to those thought to be of significance in the gut, were followed by the establishment of thein vivopatterns of dominance.