The Bacteriology of the Biliary Tract: A preliminary report.

The bacterial flora of acute biliary tract disease has not been completely elucidated. The organisms identified most often were coliforms. Anaerobic culture technics were not precise enough to provide proper identification. In a 12-month study of 250 patients operated upon for inflammatory gallbladder disease, culture specimens were collected in a most strict and rigorous fashion. It was hoped that a more exact understanding of the relationship between bacteria and inflammatory biliary tract disease might be appreciated. Important technics were developed for gathering specimens, delivery to the laboratory and culturing. More meaningful results are to be expected In the future