Related Experiment Videos
The effects of amoxicillin therapy on skin flora in infants
1Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
Abstract:
In order to determine the effect of amoxicillin therapy on the perineal skin microbial flora in infants, we took quantitative bacterial and fungal cultures of perineal and sternal areas from 25 infants treated with amoxicillin (40 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. Specimens were obtained prior to therapy, within 3 days of conclusion of therapy, and 14-16 days later. Immediately following therapy, a decline in the number of bacterial isolates occurred on both the perineum (89 to 47) and sternum (84 to 39). The greatest decline occurred in the number of anaerobic bacteria (mostly Peptostreptococcus spp. and Propionibacterium acnes). Other organisms that were less often isolated were aerobic streptococci and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The number of Candida albicans isolates increased from 3 to 11 (p < 0.05) on the perineum, and 1 to 7 (p < 0.025) on the sternum. Four of the infants developed diaper dermatitis. The density of C. albicans increased more than 14-fold following amoxicillin therapy. Cultures done 14-16 days after cessation of therapy revealed an increase in the number of bacterial isolates on the perineum (47 to 72) and on the sternum (39 to 61) and a decline in recovery of C. albicans. This study demonstrates the effects of amoxicillin on the ecology of skin microbial flora in infants-a decrease in the number of bacterial isolates and an increase in recovery of C. albicans.
Insights
Amoxicillin therapy in infants significantly reduced skin bacteria, particularly anaerobes, on both perineal and sternal areas. However, it led to a notable increase in Candida albicans, suggesting a disruption of the normal skin microbial flora.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Antibiotic use in infants can alter the normal skin microbiome.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for infant health and preventing secondary infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of amoxicillin treatment on the microbial flora of infant skin.
- To assess changes in bacterial and fungal isolates on perineal and sternal skin before, during, and after amoxicillin therapy.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative bacterial and fungal cultures were performed on perineal and sternal skin samples from 25 infants.
- Specimens were collected pre-therapy, within 3 days post-therapy, and 14-16 days after therapy completion.
- Infants received amoxicillin at 40 mg/kg/day for 10 days.
Main Results:
- Amoxicillin therapy decreased bacterial isolates on both perineal (89 to 47) and sternal (84 to 39) skin.
- A significant increase in Candida albicans isolates was observed on the perineum (3 to 11) and sternum (1 to 7).
- Bacterial counts recovered, and C. albicans decreased 14-16 days after therapy cessation.
Conclusions:
- Amoxicillin therapy alters infant skin microbial ecology by reducing bacterial populations and promoting fungal overgrowth.
- The observed increase in Candida albicans may contribute to conditions like diaper dermatitis.
- The skin microbiome showed a trend towards normalization after antibiotic cessation.