title: Effects of ceftriaxone on faecal flora: analysis by micromorphometry.
abstract: In order to elucidate the effect of ceftriaxone therapy on the morphology of gut microflora, 11 human volunteers were treated with ceftriaxone, 1 g daily, given intramuscularly in one dose. Treatment continued for 5 days. Faecal microflora was analysed by digital image processing before, during and after the treatment period. We derived simple numerical parameters which describe the morphologic composition of the flora. They were significantly influenced by the antibiotic, and returned to their baseline values more than 7 days after treatment was stopped. The procedure holds promise for clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Medical Microbiology, State University, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Kootstra
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Geertsma
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers
chemical_list: D002443:Ceftriaxone