title: [Effect of erythromycin on the fecal flora of infants less than 1-year old].
abstract: Erythromycin ethyl succinate is an antibiotic frequently administered in pediatrics. According to some authors, this drug sharply decreases the fecal count of enterobacteria. The fecal flora of 12 infants less than one year old, treated by erythromycin ethyl succinate for 7 to 10 days was studied by differential count. A variable effect was observed on enterobacteria: a 10(3) to 10(5) fold reduction in 9 cases with a final count superior or equal to 10(4) per gram of feces, with or without coming back to the initial count; in 3 cases no modification. MIC of enterobacteria and concentrations of erythromycin in feces were not predictives of flora variation. Anaerobic flora was weakly modified. No implantation of potentially-pathogenic bacteria or multi-resistant or highly erythromycin resistant enterobacteria occurred. Thus, erythromycin ethyl succinate is valuable in pediatrics as it does not disturb barrier effects. But its use for selective decontamination of gut must be discussed depending on pharmacologic form and posology administered.
mesh_terms: D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects*; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015643:Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant
chemical_list: D015643:Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate; D004917:Erythromycin
vernacular_title: Influence de l'érythromycine sur la flore fécale de l'enfant de moins de un an.