EFFECT OF NORFLOXACIN, TRIMETHOPRIM-SULFAMETHOXAZOLE AND NITROFURANTOIN ON FECAL FLORA OF WOMEN WITH RECURRENT URINARY-TRACT INFECTIONS

The effects of antibiotics used for prophylaxis in women with recurren t urinary tract infections (UTIs) on the aerobic intestinal flora were investigated. Twenty-one patients with recurrent UTIs were randomly d ivided into three groups. The patients of each group received monother apy with oral norfloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or nitrofuran toin for one month. Urine and stool quantitative aerobic cultures were performed before prophylaxis, 2 and 4 weeks after the initiation of t herapy, and 2 weeks after antibiotics were discontinued. The gram-nega tive aerobic flora was strongly suppressed during the administration o f norfloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, while Enterococcus sp p. were not affected. Resistant strains of Escherichia coli were detec ted in two patients, one in the norfloxacin and one in the trimethopri m-sulfamethoxazole group. The aerobic intestinal flora was not affecte d by nitrofurantoin. These findings help in the selection of the most appropriate antimicrobial agent for prophylaxis in recurrent UTIs, so as to reduce the possibility of emergence of resistant bacterial strai ns.