Is There Postdefecation Bacteremia?

An investigation was done to determine the incidence of postdefecation bacteremia. A study of 82 healthy volunteers was done. Among 164 predefecation cultures, only one (0.6%) from an anaerobic flask was positive for microorganism, which was identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis. In only two of 328 (0.6%) postdefecation cultures did microorganisms grow, which were shown to be Propionibacterium acnes. The results of this study suggest that either bacteremia after defecation does not occur or is a rare event in healthy individuals.