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[Antibiotic therapy, intestinal microbial pullulation and risk of infection in children]
Insights
Antibiotic therapy can alter infant intestinal flora, suppressing sensitive bacteria and promoting resistant strains. Oral antibiotics like colistin and pristinamycin significantly impacted gut microbiota composition and growth.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Intestinal flora plays a crucial role in infant health.
- Antibiotic use in infants is common but can have unintended consequences.
- Understanding the impact of antibiotics on gut microbiota is vital for pediatric care.
Purpose:
- To qualitatively and quantitatively assess the effects of antibiotic therapy on infant intestinal flora.
- To compare the impact of different antibiotics and administration routes (oral vs. parenteral) on gut microbiota.
- To identify potential risks associated with antibiotic-induced changes in intestinal flora.
Summary:
- Antibiotic administration led to the suppression of sensitive bacterial strains and the proliferation of resistant organisms in infant intestinal flora.
- Oral colistin and pristinamycin significantly altered the gut microbiota, while parenteral colistin and aminoglycosides showed no effect.
- Ampicillin demonstrated effects when administered both orally and parenterally.
- Secondary septicemia due to resistant organisms was observed in 14 cases, influenced by patient age and intestinal issues.
Impact:
- Antibiotic therapy can disrupt the delicate balance of infant gut microbiota, potentially leading to the emergence of resistant pathogens.
- The route of antibiotic administration influences its effect on intestinal flora, with oral routes showing more significant alterations.
- Findings highlight the need for careful antibiotic selection and monitoring in infants to mitigate risks like secondary infections.
Abstract:
The effect of antibiotic therapy on the intestinal flora was studied qualitatively and quantitatively in 41 infants. The results have been compared with 27 normal children of the same age and background. Antibiotics were responsible for the suppression of sensitive strains and for their replacement by resistant organisms but above all to a rapid multiplication of the intestinal flora. Colistin and pristinamycin caused these changes when given orally. Ampicillin when given both orally and parenterally but Colistin and the aminoglycosides when given parenterally did not have any effect. Fourteen cases of secondary septicaemia due to resistant organisms were observed but other factors were also important, namely the young age of the patients and intestinal problems (stasis and diarrhoea).