Figure 7 The 16S rRNA targeted oligonucleotide mixture EUB that globally detects bacterial sequences was used in tissue sections from pouch mucosal biopsies. Subdifferentiation was carried out using a set of specific oligonucleotide probes. Almost all bacteria detected were classified as Enterobacteriaceae whereas the Lactobacilli/Enterococcus probes resulted only in occasional detection of signals in VSL#3 treated patients. The figure is a representation of six experiments per group (VSL#3 and placebo, before and after treatment). Mucosal biopsies in patients in remission prior to study drug therapy showed high numbers of intraepithelial bacteria (A). Colonisation was reduced after placebo treatment, which was accompanied by relapse of inflammation (B). Bacterial colonisation of the epithelium was maintained during VSL#3 treatment (C).