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Original Article

Ecological Effects of Antimicrobial Agents on the Human Intestinal Microflora

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Pages 193-207 | Received 23 Oct 1990, Accepted 07 May 1991, Published online: 11 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Administration of antimicrobial agents may seriously disturb the balance of the normal intestinal microflora. This may cause bacterial overgrowth and emergence of resistant microorganisms which may lead to serious infections and also encourage transfer of resistance factors among bacteria. This review article summarises published scientific reports on the ecological effect of penicillins, cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems, macrolides, tetracyclines, nitroimidazoles, clindamycin and quinolones on the human intestinal microflora.