Studies of intestinal microflora. VI. Effect of x irradiation on the fecal microflora of the rat.

The effect of sublethal, midlethal, and lethal doses of total-body X irradiation on the fecal microbial population of the rat was studied. No changes were observed in animals receiving sublethal doses of X ray. Midlethal and lethal doses produced an increase in the numbers of fecal coliforms, staphylococci, streptococci, and fungi; these changes were transient in rats that survived, but were more marked and persisted during life in those that died. The possible role of these alterations in intestinal microflora in post-irradiation infection and in death is discussed.