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The effect of selective decontamination of the digestive tract with the addition of systemic cefotaxime on the aerobic faecal flora of mice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

A. B. J. Speekenbrink ,
S. R. Alcock ,
J. Forrester  and
D. M. V. Parrott
A. B. J. Speekenbrink
Affiliation:
University Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT
S. R. Alcock
Affiliation:
University Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT
J. Forrester
Affiliation:
University Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT
D. M. V. Parrott
Affiliation:
University Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT
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The administration per-orally to mice of the non-absorbable antibiotics polymyxin E, tobramycin and amphotericin B resulted in the elimination of detectable aerobic gram-negative rods from the faecal flora without affecting the total viable aerobic count. The addition of parental cefotaxime to the regime caused a fall in the number of aerobic lactobacilli and an increase in the number of enterococci. The rise was associated with the translocation of viable enterococci to the mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen. The changes induced by cefotaxime were reversed when the antibiotic was withdrawn. Following withdrawal of all antibiotics the total aerobic faecal flora increased to above normal levels, but there was no associated diarrhoea. Attempts to implant exogenous enterobacteria into the digestive tract resulted in only low level colonization both in treated mice and in control mice. These results may have implications for the use of this antibiotic regime for selective decontamination of the digestive tract in humans, particularly those who are immunocompromised.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 98 , Issue 3 , June 1987 , pp. 385 - 395
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

References

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