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Effect of perorally administered pivmecillinam on the normal oropharyngeal, intestinal and skin microflora

A Sullivan1, C Edlund, B Svenungsson

  • 1Division of Clinical Bacteriology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Journal of Chemotherapy (Florence, Italy)
|July 14, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Pivmecillinam minimally impacted human microflora, with minor decreases in Escherichia coli in the gut and Propionibacterium on the skin. The antibiotic showed no significant ecological disturbances in oropharyngeal, intestinal, or skin microbial communities.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Human Health

Background:

  • Antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of human microflora.
  • Understanding the ecological impact of antibiotics is crucial for patient safety.
  • Pivmecillinam is a penicillin derivative used to treat bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the ecological effects of pivmecillinam on human oropharyngeal, intestinal, and skin microflora.
  • To assess the impact of a 7-day pivmecillinam regimen on microbial communities.
  • To determine the extent of microbial disturbances and recovery post-treatment.

Main Methods:

  • 15 healthy volunteers received pivmecillinam (400 mg twice daily for 7 days).
  • Oropharyngeal, intestinal, and skin specimens were collected pre-treatment, during treatment, and post-treatment.
  • Aerobic and anaerobic microflora were analyzed in collected samples.

Main Results:

  • Pivmecillinam caused no significant alterations in oropharyngeal microflora (aerobic and anaerobic).
  • A decrease in Escherichia coli was observed in aerobic intestinal microflora; anaerobic microflora remained unchanged.
  • A transient reduction in Propionibacterium spp. was noted on skin (nasal area).

Conclusions:

  • Pivmecillinam demonstrated a limited ecological impact on human microflora.
  • The primary effects were on Escherichia coli and, to a lesser extent, Propionibacterium spp.
  • No significant long-term ecological disturbances were observed in the studied microflora.

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