Lesions produced by Clostridium butyricum strain CB 1002 in ligated intestinal loops in guinea pigs.

Heated spores (80 degrees C, 10 min) of Clostridium butyricum strain CB 1002 isolated from a fatal case of necrotising enterocolitis in a human neonate were inoculated into ligated intestinal loops prepared in young conventional guinea pigs. Necropsy findings 18 h later included congestion, patchy haemorrhage of the intestinal mucosa and bacteraemia. No abnormalities were observed in control loops given inocula of inactivated spores (heated at 100 degrees C for 10 min) or TYG 6 medium. The results suggest that vascular lesions are produced by C. butyricum in the intestine of young conventional guinea pigs.