Gram-negative anaerobes in the intestinal flora of pigs

A differential count of the gram-negative, anaerobic, non sporeforming bacteria in different segments of the pig intestinal tract was performed in 2 groups of pigs. Seventy-seven strains were identified, belonging to 6 groups: Sphaerophorus necrophorus, anhemolytic Sphaerophorus spp., Bacteroides (Eggerthella) spp., Fusobactenum spp., Veillonella/Acidaminococcus spp., and Peptostreptococcus elsdenii. The characters of these groups are described, and quantitative data on their occurrence in a group of normal porkers and a group of pigs with experimental swine dysentery are given.