INFLUENCE OF IMMUNODEPRESS0RS ON POPULATION LEVEL AND ADHESIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF OPPORTUNISTIC BACTERIA IN LARGE BOWEL OF WHITE MICE

Aim. To assess the effects of cyclophosphamide (CP), methotrexate (MT), and prednisolone (PS) on the levels of staphylococci, enterococci, Escherichia coli (EC) and lactose-negative enterobacteria (LNEB) in feces of white mice as well as to determine adhesive properties of isolated microorganisms. Materials and methods. Drugs were administered intragastrically during 6 weeks; CP in dose 35.4 mg/kg daily; MT — 2.5 mg/kg over week; PS — 2.5 mg/kg daily; sterile distilled water was administered to controls. Microflora was assessed by common methods; adhesion of microorganisms to group 0(I) human erythrocytes was determined. Results. Administration of prednisolone leads to increase of isolation rate of staphylococci, CP increased levels of LNEB and EC with suppressed enzymatic activity (P<0.05). MT decreased isolation rate of typical EC (P<0.05). MT also decreased degree of adhesion of EC and LNEB, whereas PS enhanced adhesiveness of LNEB, and CP decreased adhesion of staphylococci (P<0.05). Statistically significant correlation between number and adhesiveness of enterobacteria was established (r=0.73, P<0.01). Conclusion. Immunodepressors from different groups have non-similar effects on quantitative characteristics of microflora and adhesiveness of isolated opportunistic microorganisms.

immunodepressors, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, methotrexate, gut microflora, opportunistic microorganisms