Influence of immunodepressors on population level and adhesive characteristics of opportunistic bacteria in large intestine 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.