AMPHOTERICIN-B CONCENTRATION IN FECES AND SERUM DURING ORAL-ADMINISTRATION IN NEWBORNS AT RISK

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of orally administ ered amphotericin B (Ampho B) on the elimination and suppression of ye asts in the orointestinal tract and on the clinical success regarding the Ampho B concentrations in faeces and serum. A total of 23 new-born s at risk suffering from oral and/or cutaneous candidosis and massive colonization of yeasts in the orointestinal tract received Ampho-Moron al(R) suspension (Squibb-Heyden, Munchen) for 10 days: new-borns < 150 0 g 4 x 20 mg Ampho B/d and new-borns > 1500 g 4 x 40 mg/d. Ampho B wa s detected in concentrations between 0,6 and 20 mu g/g in the faeces o f all patients 24 hours after beginning and 2-6 days after the end of the application. During this time Ampho B concentrations between 0,06 and 0,58 mu g/ml were also detected in the serum of the new-borns. Dur ing the administration of Ampho-Moronal(R) suspension for 10 days the initial available yeasts were eliminated in 18 patients (78 %) out of the faeces. In 7 out of 17 patients (41 %) the oral and cutaneous cand idosis was cured. After finishing the administration of Ampho-Moronal( R) Candida albicans was isolated again from the faeces during the foll owing 5 days in half of the new-borns who had reached negative mycolog ical findings during the prophylaxis. For that reason Ampho-Moronal(R) should be prophylactically administered for a longer time during the period of increased risk for systemic mycosis.