A review on the impact of 4-quinolones on the normal oropharyngeal and intestinal human microflora.

During the last few years the impact of the newer 4-quinolones, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin and pefloxacin, on the human microflora has been studied by several investigators. This review article summarizes the published data concerning these studies. The results show that the oropharyngeal flora is affected only slightly or not at all by the 4-quinolones. All the newer 4-quinolones have a similar effect on the normal intestinal flora. The gram-negative aerobic flora is strongly suppressed during administration of 4-quinolones, while the gram-positive flora is only slightly affected. The anaerobic microflora is hardly affected at all. The emergence of resistant bacterial strains is uncommon, although one study shows increased MIC-values for anaerobes during ciprofloxacin administration. Replacement by yeasts or other inherently resistant microorganisms does not often seem to be a problem. High concentrations of the 4-quinolones are reached in faeces, values between 100-2,200 mg/kg being reported. Since the 4-quinolones do not cause marked ecological disturbances in the intestinal microflora, they may be suitable for selective decontamination in immunocompromised patients, for prophylaxis of urinary tract infections and for treatment of bacterial intestinal infections.