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Published on: December 8, 2014
[Influence of cefoperazone on the fecal flora in children]
Insights
Parenteral cefoperazone significantly altered children's fecal flora, reducing key bacteria like Enterobacteria. This antibiotic may be useful for treating septicemia caused by intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Parenteral antibiotics can disrupt the normal gut microbiota.
- Understanding the impact of cefoperazone on pediatric fecal flora is crucial for clinical application.
Purpose:
- To quantitatively assess the effects of parenteral cefoperazone on the fecal microbial composition in children.
- To identify specific changes in bacterial and yeast populations during and after cefoperazone treatment.
Summary:
- Cefoperazone therapy led to significant reductions or undetectable levels of Enterobacteria, Staphylococci, and Streptococci in 13 out of 16 pediatric patients.
- An increase or acquisition of yeasts was observed in 7 patients during cefoperazone treatment.
- Fecal flora largely returned to pre-treatment levels within 5 to 10 days after discontinuing cefoperazone.
Impact:
- Cefoperazone demonstrates a potent effect on suppressing specific gut bacteria, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.
- The observed microbial shifts indicate cefoperazone's utility in managing conditions like septicemia linked to intestinal dysbiosis.
- The transient nature of the microbial changes suggests a favorable safety profile regarding long-term gut flora disruption.
Abstract:
A differential quantitative study was used to evaluate the effects of parenteral cefoperazone upon children's fecal flora. Fecal specimens were obtained from 16 patients, before, during and after therapy. Cefoperazone therapy was associated with major changes in fecal flora. There was marked reduction or suppression to undetectable levels of Enterobacteria, Staphylococci and Streptococci in 13 patients. During therapy, yeasts were selected or acquired in 7 cases. 5 to 10 days after cefoperazone was discontinued, the fecal flora was virtually the same as before treatment. Thus, cefoperazone should prove very useful in the treatment of septicemia due to intestinal overgrowth.
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