1.   A particular species of harmful microbe might come in dozens or even hundreds of subvarieties, Patrick said.

2.   Douching can wash away natural, beneficial bacteria in the vagina, paving the way for harmful microbes to replace them, she said.

3.   Poultry growers have begun using a product called Exclude, which colonizes chickens with benign bacteria that prevent the buildup of harmful microbes.

4.   These bacteria not only make edible products, they crowd out harmful microbes that would lead to spoilage.

5.   Chickens that are slaughtered under an experimental new inspection system are showing lower rates of disease, harmful microbes and fecal contamination, the Agriculture Department says.

6.   Dr. Peter Poore, chief medical officer of the Save the Children Fund, said it has long been known that ultraviolet kills harmful microbes in water.

7.   The plants also were tested for the presence of harmful microbes, including salmonella.

8.   This gives harmful microbes the chance to mutate to survive.