Object of the research: the colon microbiocenosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients, bifiform effect on microflora of the indicated biotope. Aim of the research is to investigate the colon microbiocenosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients and to study biological properties of microflora, to establish antagonistic activity of Enterococcusfaecium probiotic strain, to substantiate microbiocenosis correction by probiotic preparation based on bifidobacteria and enterococci. Methods of the research: microscopic, bacteriological, identification method of the microorganisms, determination method of dominating degree, evaluation of discovery rate and colonization levels of microorganisms, definition of adhesive, anticomplementary and antagonistic properties of bacteria, statistic methods. Theoretical and practical results:the results of microbiological investigation of colon contents in healthy persons and rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving different treatment have been presented. Colon dysbacteriosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients, the stage of its manifestation and dependence on rheumatoid arthritis scheme treatment have been proved. It was established that the colon microbiocenosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients is characterized by the decreased level of colonization in Bacteroidesspp., Bifidobacteriumspp., Lactobacillus spp., typical E. Coli and the increased contamination of biotope S. aureus, Candida fungi, Klebsiellaspp., Proteusspp and atypical versions of E. Coli. Adhesive properties of colon microorganisms in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy persons have been investigated. Higher indices of adhesiveness in Enterobacterspp., Klebsiellsspp., P. aeruginosa, S. Aureus strains, lactose negative and hemolyzed variants of E.Coli have been established. High antagonistic effect of probiotic Entrococcusfaecium strain, which is included into Bifiform probiotic has been proved. Novelty: it was determined that in rheumatoid arthritis patients colon dysbacteriosis of the 2-nd and 3-rd stages was developed. Clinical effectiveness of Bifiform preparation in microbiocenosis correction of the colon in rheumatoid arthritis patients has been proved. Introduction stage: the obtained results have been introduced in the regional Health Care Departments, University Clinic of Ternopil, in 8 Higher Medical (Pharmaceutical) Educational Institutions of Ukraine. Application field: Medicine, Microbiology.
