The War for Dominion in the Human Intestine

The War for Dominion in the Human Intestine

Escherichia coli is a bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines of mammals. That would include us.

Our intestines are loaded with normal bacteria like E. coli. In fact, a good percentage of human stool is bacteria, 75 percent. One gram of stool contains over a billion bacteria. The “normal” bacteria in the stool are known as “Enteric bacteria.” This class includes a few species in the Escherichia genus, along with many other species from other genus such as: Serratia, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Edwardsiella, just naming a few. Yeast is common in the stool too: Candida albacans lives in the intestine. There are also gram positive cocci like Strep species in there: Strep faecalis is an example one. Some Staphylococcus species are also stay resident there.

But don't worry, they are all as friendly as bacteria can be...as long as they stay in the intestine. They will kill you if they get into the peritoneum (such as occurs with a burst appendix) or the kidneys, most of the viscera in the body are sterile. But if the bacteria stay in their place, they are Ok. In fact they are rather tame.

We live in world filled with bacteria. And there is a long tube that interfaces with that world starting at the mouth and ending at the anus.

And so, inevitably bacteria will get in and come out. Billions of bacteria have shacked up in that tract known as the alimentary canal. More bacterial cells than the total number of cells in the human body, in fact, more by multiples of 100.

All of these bugs are helpful in as much as our intestines are acclimated to them. They perform useful functions, and they don't have powerful endo or exotoxins, but some bacteria do. So it is best to have bacteria there that are friendly, ones we are adapted to, than it is to have bacteria there that cause harm to tissue because of toxic excretions. The “normal” bacteria keep them out. They compete for territory and occupy space that unfriendly bacteria have difficulty competing with.

Think of it this way: If a conquering country were to enter Europe bent on stealing all of the land there and using all the natural resources...that country might meet with some objection from Britain, France, Spain, Germany, the Slavic and Nordic countries. Chances are they would not do very well. Likewise, small numbers of malicious bacteria entering the intestine usually don't do very well. They can't take over because of the resident bacteria have squatters rights. There's simply no space for them and not enough resources, They are out numbered.

There are exceptions though, and the exceptions are bugs that excrete very powerful exo toxins and reproduce at a very fast rate. They cause fever that they can tolerate, but which kills off normal flora. .

Some species of Salmonella and Shigella are very aggressive and they can raise quite a war in the human intestine. There are also species of protozoans like Giardia lamblia that can infect the intestine (These bugs are usually found in contaminated water, they prefer to hang around the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, which makes diagnoses by ova and parasites sometimes hard, you end up looking for eggs and the parasite may not be laying them, as reproduction is cyclical. In the presence of symptoms, a duodenal aspirate usually grabs a few motile trophs..and diagnosis is confirmed. )

We are subject to “worms” like Enterobius vermicularis or “pin worm,” a very common and communicable childhood infection. Hookworm is another worm that infects the intestine, it is very rare in the US, but there have been cases... it's larvae enter through the foot, get into the lungs, causing cough, which is then swallowed. The larvae then develop in the intestine into adult worms which literally “hook” themselves on to the intestinal wall. They lay eggs again, and the eggs hatch on the ground, and people walk on them bare foot, and the cycle starts again.

Tape worm is another worm infection, it comes from poorly cooked pork . These organisms can compete for space in the intestine, and their presence is not appreciated. Their relationship to the host, is not symbiotic.

Normal Bacteria though can be a protection from other bacterial infections and they also perform other functions: they help break down complex carbohydrates like starches into small parts, and they manufacture vitamin K, a clotting factor.

But I wanted to mention a specific bug that is especially dangerous. It is member of the Escherichia genus, an Escherichia coli strain, in fact. This bug is potentially lethal, the other pathogens I mentioned are not.

I am talking about E. coli O157:H7. The numbers at the end refer to it's sero-type. They represent the antibody reaction the body produces to it. It is specific and identifies the species. Stool culture, symptoms and history also aide in diagnosis.

Where does E. coli O157:H7 come from? No. it is not from outer space, or a mutant caused by global warming. And it is not new,

The answer is undercooked meat, un pasturized milk and juices. It is possible that it is communicable in one sense: an infected person could have a few cells on the hands, and then inoculate food, which is then eaten by somebody else. But the main problem is undercooked meat, usually beef. Chicken and poultry poorly cooked can result in Salmonella infections, which are less serious.

Within two or three days the symptoms are: diarrhea, usually bloody, fever, abdominal cramps. Vomiting. The infected person becomes very ill, very quickly. But unlike most species of Salmonella and Shigella which are bad news, this bug is the worst news. It bores through the intestinal wall by way of emitting a “shiga toxin” which is corrosive to the intestinal wall. It then gets into the blood stream, and very often ends up in the kidneys, causing them to shut down. The patient then needs to go on dialysis. Untreated this bug will kill in short order.

I remember reading an account of a group of boy scouts having a cook out. One of the boys was very hungry, and while hamburgers were cooking, a chunk of meat fell off to the side, and he grabbed it and wolfed it down, as some of us can imagine ourselves doing.. In three days he was on dialysis. He was lucky though, he was diagnosed quickly, and treated with antibiotics. I regret I don't know whether his kidney damage was permanent, as I didn't see the follow up story, but in answer to the question: “could permanent kidney damage occur?” the answer is - yes. Total loss of kidney function can occur resulting in a life time of dialysis.

This bug is very dangerous. And so, some things should be noted here. Give up the idea of eating “rare” meat. Make sure it is cooked all the way through. This is what kills the bug. You shouldn't be tempted to eat rare meat but if you remember doing it and it results in bloody diarrhea in two or three days -get to a doctor fast. Focus the attention on E coli or enteric infection as a possible cause, and get tested.

Seventy thousand cases of E. Coli infection occur each year in the US.

Our habit enjoying juicy steaks and hamburgers has become a little too dangerous. And, after getting educated about this bug, I shutter at the risk people I have known have taken when eating raw hot dogs or raw hamburger.

That habit has to stop. By the way, it was while I was eating my favorite quick meal of hamburger and beans that I realized half way through that the hamburger was too rare in the middle, I put it down. I remembered the boy scout. It's been five days, I think I'll be ok. This worry is what inspired this piece. I know better, some of you don't.

So when the waitress says: “ how would you like your steak.” You can now say with some authority: “There should only be one option: well done.” Tell her there is war for dominion in the human intestine and you won't be the next victim. If she growls at you, don't leave her a tip.

Here's a list of human intestinal parasites. In general of all of those shysters that try to sell you colon cleansing products to rid yourself of parasites are to be ignored. these infections need to be diagnosed and treated, those sales people are full of ...well never mind.

Parasitic infections from the online Merk Manual.

Note and Post script and a little Rant: The snake oil colon cleansing products wont rid you of "invisible parasites" and the people who say so don't know what the hell they are talking about. Sorry, but this is just "snake oil." The only thing you'll get from that stuff is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. "Parasites" have latinated names, and are scientifically classified. They have earned their place in the Merk Manual. There are no other ones, than are listed there, and what ever is sold on the internet will not phase these guys, or "flush" them. Intuitively this should be obvious since most of the bugs cause diarrhrea, and diarrhea has never "flushed' them. And they are all pathenogenic.(see link above) If you have them, you'll know something is up. Don't throw your money away. See your doctor, and get an :"ova and parasites test." Don't fall for the "bag of goods." This stuff probably doesn't even qualify as a laxitive. There won't be invisible parasites flying out of your butt... but there will be money flying out of your pocket - another myth busted. The :acitive ingredient is Epsom salts, which change the osmolarity in the intestine, dehydrating the insterstitial fluid in the intestine causing you to blast out water - like colace does. Enterobis would be unphased, as would any other parasite worth it's salt. Pun intended. I don't think I will make any money on this hub, look at the ADS: "Doctor formulated," which doctor? A witch doctor? Now I could tell you soothing lies, and say these products are lovely, or I could tell it like it really is.

Gary Stone BSN MLT (ASCP)

© Toylanders Press International (Gary Stone). March 2010

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