Summary
The effect of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone on faecal flora was investigated in women undergoing routine vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. Three groups of 9 patients received, in a double-blind fashion and just before surgery, cefotaxime 2g intravenously, ceftriaxone 2g intravenously or no antibiotic (controls). Stools were collected before prophylaxis (sample 1) and after surgery (samples 2 and 3). The only alteration after cefotaxime was a decrease of non-fastidious aerobic Gram-negative flora in sample 2. The same effect was more pronounced after ceftriaxone (p <0.01) which, in addition, increased yeast colonies (p <0.05) in sample 2. In sample 3, more resistant (MIC >32 mg/L) aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were found after ceftriaxone (log10 median 7.5 and 9.0, respectively) than after cefotaxime (4.2 and 6.0) or in controls (4.4 and 6.6) [p <0.01 in each case]. Group D streptococci and Gram-positive cocci remained unchanged in the 3 groups. Clostridium difficile cytotoxin assays were negative. The effects on faecal flora were more pronounced after ceftriaxone.
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Michéa-Hamzehpour, M., Auckenihaler, R., Kunz, J. et al. Effect of a Single Dose of Cefotaxime or Ceftriaxone on Human Faecal Flora. Drugs 35 (Suppl 2), 6–11 (1988). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198800352-00004
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198800352-00004