Effect of cefamandole, cefuroxime and cefoxitin on yeast fecal flora of surgical patients.

Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cefamandole, cefuroxime and cefoxitin on the level of gastrointestinal (GI) colonization by Candida albicans in humans. Twenty-eight adult patients received one of these three cephalosporins for 10 days, as treatment of infection, and were studied prospectively. Quantitative stool cultures for yeasts were performed immediately before, at the end, and 1 week after discontinuation of treatment. All three antibiotics caused an increase of the yeast concentration in the fecal flora. The increase caused by cefoxitin was the highest (2.5 log10 CFU/g of stool). Our results suggest that the cephalosporins tested cause minor increases of the colonization of the GI tract by C. albicans.