Metronidazole in the Prophylaxis and treatment of Anaerobic Infection
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Date
1978
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
The influence of prophylactic metronidazole on vaginal
carriage rates of anaerobes and the development of postoperative
anaerobic infection was studied in 104 women
who underwent abdominal hysterectomy. Metronidazole
prophylaxis in 54 patients led to a decrease in the anaerobe
vaginal carriage rate from 65% pre-operatively to
17% and 28% on the 3rd and 7th postoperative days respectively.
In the control group (50 patients) no significant
decrease in anaerobe yield was noted, corresponding percentages
being 72%, 64%, and 74%. Postoperative infection
occurred in 36 patients (28 controls; 8 on prophylactic
metronidazole). Wound swabs from all 8 patients in
the latter group yielded aerobes, and in 1 patient mixed
infection (aerobes/anaerobes) occurred. In 7 of these
patients (including the patient with mixed infection), the
infection resolved spontaneously, while the 8th patient
responded to therapy with metronidazole, kanamycin and
ampicillin. In the control patients, 21 cases of postoperative
wound infection and 4 of vault infection were seen;
wound swabs from patients in the former group yielded
aerobes in only 6 cases, and mixed growth of aerobes/
anaerobes in 10 cases. Postoperative wound/vault infections
in control patients cleared spontaneously in 18 cases
and responded to imidazole therapy, with or without ampicillin
and kanamycin, in 7 cases.
Description
Keywords
Metronidazole, Anaerobic infection
Citation
Applebaum, P.C., et al. (1978). Metronidazole in the Prophylaxis and treatment of Anaerobic Infection. South African Medical Journal, 58: 703-706