EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC AGENTS ON FECAL BACTERIA IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Abstract

Studies of the effect of chemotherapeutic agents on fecal bacteria in patients being prepared for surgical procedures on the bowel and in those with acute intestinal infections have usually demonstrated a decrease in total bacterial counts and a change in flora early in treatment. A reduction in the number of bacteria and a change in flora from predominantly gram negative to predominantly gram positive have been noted during the short term administration of sulfonamides in patients with ulcerative colitis. 1 The present study differs from preceding investigations in that the effects of chemotherapeutic agents on fecal bacteria were observed for more prolonged periods. Approximately 50 series of bacteriologic investigations were carried out. METHOD OF STUDY Serial quantitative and qualitative analyses of aerobic and anaerobic fecal bacteria were made in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis and in normal persons before and during treatment with sulfonamides, penicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol (chloromycetin®) and