Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Effects of intrapartum penicillin prophylaxis on intestinal bacterial colonization in infants

Françoise Jauréguy1, Mathieu Carton, Pierre Panel

  • 1Microbiologie, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|November 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) for early-onset group B streptococcal infections did not increase resistant bacteria in infants. However, it did reduce initial colonization by anaerobic bacteria like Clostridium.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neonatal Health
  • Infectious Disease Prevention

Background:

  • Early-onset group B streptococcal (GBS) infections pose significant risks to newborns.
  • Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is recommended to prevent GBS transmission.
  • Concerns exist regarding IAP's potential to promote antibiotic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of intrapartum amoxicillin prophylaxis on the early gastrointestinal bacterial flora of infants.
  • To determine if IAP influences the acquisition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Stool samples were collected from 3-day-old infants exposed (n=25) and not exposed (n=25) to intrapartum amoxicillin.
  • Groups were matched for gestational age, delivery type, and feeding method.
  • Bacterial flora in stool samples underwent qualitative and quantitative differential analysis.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in aerobic bacteria or amoxicillin-resistant enterobacteria colonization between groups.
  • Significantly lower colonization by anaerobic bacteria, particularly Clostridium, in the antibiotic-exposed group (12% vs. 40%).
  • IAP did not promote beta-lactam-resistant bacteria colonization.

Conclusions:

  • Intrapartum amoxicillin prophylaxis showed minimal impact on initial infant gut flora, with a notable reduction in Clostridium colonization.
  • The study did not find evidence that IAP favors colonization by beta-lactam-resistant bacteria.
  • Further research is needed to assess long-term risks associated with widespread antibiotic use for GBS prevention.

More Related Videos

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization10:19

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization

Published on: November 16, 2016

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay09:20

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

Published on: April 28, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Production of Antibiotics01:27

Production of Antibiotics

Penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used antibiotics, is produced industrially by the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Large stirred-tank bioreactors ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of liters maintain tightly controlled temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions to support fungal metabolism and maximize antibiotic yield. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite, synthesized primarily during the stationary growth phase, which requires a carefully managed...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...