The influence of single dose intravenous antibiotics on faecal flora and emergence of Clostridium difficile

Abstract

The influence of a single intravenous dose of antibiotic on faecal flora and the emergence of Clostridiwn digfficile was studied in volunteers. Seventy-eight volunteers (13 groups of 6 receiving 5 penicillins and 8 cephalosporins) were given a single intravenous dose of antibiotic. Results were compared with a control group of 6 volunteers who did not receive an antibiotic. Changes In the faecal flora were monitored over two weeks. Only cephalosporins wen associated with emergence of CI. difficile, penicillins and controls were not. Frequency of emergence of Cl. difficile in the 6 volunteers in each of the cephalosporin groups were as follows: cephaloridine 0, cephazolin, 1 cefuroxime 1, cefoxitin 2, cefotaxime 2, latamoxef 3, ceftriaxone 2, cefotetan 4 Latamoxef (moxalactam) was associated with a significant rise in total aerobic bacterial counts largely due to increased counts of enterococci. Cefotetan eliminated Escherichia coli and Bucteroides fragilis from the faecal flora three days after administration.