Short Communication: Effect of a New Carbapenem Antibacterial Agent, Meropenem, on Normal Human Faecal Microflora

Abstract

The effects of a newly developed carbapenem antibiotic, meropenem, on intestinal microflora were investigated in healthy male volunteers. Six volunteers were given intravenously one dose of 500 mg at 12 h intervals for 5 d, and another six volunteers received 1000 mg of meropenem. Faecal samples were collected during the investigation period for cultivation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Meropenem induced an increase in enterococci and a decrease in streptococci in all subjects. Meropenem caused a marked decrease of the levels of intestinal bacteria especially, Enterobacteriaceae, eubacteria, Gram-positive anaerobic cocci, bacteroides and veillonellae in some subjects. Meropenem caused a marked decrease of the total levels of intestinal bacteria in two of six subjects who received 500 mg and 1000 mg of meropenem respectively. There were no differences between subjects receiving the 500 mg dose and 1000 mg dose of meropenem.

Key Words:

• Antibacterial agent
• Carbapenem
• Meropenem
• Intestinal flora