Effects of cefepime and meropenem on the gastrointestinal colonization of surgical patients by Candida albicans.
BACKGROUND
The study evaluated the effects of cefepime and meropenem on the gastrointestinal (GI) colonization of surgical patients by Candida albicans.


METHODS
Twenty adult surgical patients who received intravenously either of these antibiotics as monotherapy for the treatment of an existing infection were studied prospectively. Ten patients received cefepime (2.0 g twice a day), and another ten meropenem (1.0 g every 8 h) for 7 days. Quantitative stool cultures for C. albicans were performed immediately before, at the end, and 1 week after the end of antibiotic treatment.


RESULTS
Both antibiotics increased the GI colonization of patients by Candida. Meropenem caused a higher increase (2.0 log(10) CFU/g of stool) as compared to cefepime (1.7 log(10) CFU/g of stool). However, these increases were statistically not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Cefepime and meropenem when given to sensitive patients do not increase significantly the risk of Candida infection originating in the GI tract.
Samonis
G
G
Division of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Thomakos
N
N
Liakakos
T
T
Macheras
A
A
Mandrekas
D
D
Kanavaki
S
S
Bafaloukos
D
D
Maraki
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000077723:Cefepime; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077731:Meropenem; D008875:Middle Aged; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000494:pharmacology*
D002511:Cephalosporins; D013845:Thienamycins; D000077723:Cefepime; D000077731:Meropenem