Generation Times of <i>Proteus Mirabilis</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Experimental Infections

Abstract

Generation times of Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli in experimental kidney infections have been determined using radio-isotope techniques. During the first 7 hours following infection, generation times of 2.3 and 0.9 h were determined for P. mirabilis and E. coli, respectively. Both pathogens showed greatly increased generation times in the subsequent 41-hour period. The significance of these findings is that once the kidney infection is well established, very little multiplication of the pathogen occurs. Some implications of these results in the chemotherapy of urinary tract and kidney infections are discussed.