Intestinal microflora of the newborn rat as related to mammary, faecal, and vaginal Staphylococci strains isolated from the dam.

To determine the relative importance of maternal microflora (faeces, vagina, and teats) in the contamination of newborn rats, strains of staphylococci from six different families (dam + litter) were isolated. These strains were identified, and by means of numerical profiles analyzed for their degree of similarity for each litter and (or) biotope. The staphylococci strains found in the gut of the newborn rat originated first from the teats and thereafter from the faeces. Concomitant observation of some identical strains, however, suggested a certain degree of similarity between these two maternal biotopes in this animal.