Frequency and occurrence of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the gut of the pig, as indicated by its presence in the faeces.

Faecal samples of 2 pigs, kept on a constant diet, were analysed for Lactobacillus acidophilus and other lactic acid bacteria at 1 week intervals over a period of 3 months. Enumeration of L. acidophilus by selective methods was verified by phenotypic identification of representative isolates. The total lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population ranged between 10(8) and 10(10) colony-forming units per gram of faeces over the 3 months period. L. acidophilus contributed on average a relatively constant figure of 10% to the total LAB population.