title: Effect of systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis on microbial flora.
abstract: Fifteen patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy for oat cell carcinoma of the lung in a protected environmental unit received antimicrobial prophylaxis with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and short courses of parenteral ticarcillin, tobramycin, and miconazole. Altogether, 58 (65%) of 89 strains of aerobic bacteria and 28 (60%) of 47 strains of anaerobic bacteria present before prophylaxis were no longer cultured from stool specimens during prophylaxis. Ten strains of bacteria and four fungi were acquired in the stools during prophylaxis. Most fungi persisted in the throat and stools during prophylaxis. Bacterial infections occurred infrequently, but three patients developed Candida esophagitis. The regimen was well tolerated with minimal side effects.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications; D004064:Digestive System / Q000382:microbiology*; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008825:Miconazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D013982:Ticarcillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000494:pharmacology; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008825:Miconazole; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D014295:Trimethoprim; D013982:Ticarcillin; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole; D014031:Tobramycin