The Development of Ileostomy Flora

A survey was made of the flora of consecutive specimens of ileostomy effluent obtamed from three patients, beginning at the time of establishment of the ileostomy and continuing for four months. As many as 107 aerobes/ml were present from the day after operation. Anaerobes did not become firmly established until one to two weeks later. Systemic penicillin and streptomycin had little effect but oral kanamycin and lincomycin eliminated most organisms from the ileum of one patient.