Influence of Radiotherapy on Intestinal Microflora in Cancer Patients

Abstract

We investigated in 15 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix or endometrium, who were undergoing postoperative radiation therapy, the effects of different fractionated radiation exposures on counts of fecal bacteria, on the growth of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin production. We observed a generally significant decrease in intestinal microflora after the first radiation exposure, whereas at the end of radiotherapy all bacteria increased and reached basal values except Enterococcus faecium 1, lactobacilli and total anaerobes. In some patients we observed an overgrowth of some Clostridium spp. which were potential pathogens associated with clinical symptoms. We did not observe an influence of multiple radiations on C. perfringens enterotoxin fecal contents. We conclude that patients receiving radiotherapy may benefit from the intake of oral bacteriotherapy, i.e. live beneficial bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis at the beginning of the irradiation exposure.

Radiation enteropathy and leucocyte-endothelial cell reactions in a refined small bowel model

“…(potential pathogens) associated with clinical symptoms, was observed. Patients receiving radiotherapy may thus benefit from the intake of oral bacteriotherapy [28]. The importance of investigating the effects of radiation on the different bacterial species within the total count is therefore of significance for the modulation of treatment regimes.…”

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in hospitalised patients

“…Clostridium difficile infection has been reported after even a single dose of cephalosporins and mezlocillin when used for surgical prophylaxis ( 13, 14). Other factors which have been associated with an increased incidence of CDAD include several medications other than antimicrobials, such as antineoplastics, advanced age, gastrointestinal procedures and severe concurrent illnesses, low hygiene standard of caregivers, prolonged hospitalization, intensive care residence and finally residence in a nursing home (NH) ( 7, 8, 15–22). CDAD is in fact one of the most frequent and hazardous conditions encountered in chronic care facilities ( 19, 23).…”

The Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Gut Microbiota, a Systematic Review

“…bifermentans, Cl. sporogenes) -Growth was observed in some patients (Cuzzolin, 1992) [23] Dialister sp. E2 20 -Decrease 1.0% T0 vs. T2 p = 0.013 (Nam et al, 2013) [5] Escherichia coli -Significant decrease after the 3 first RTs, p < 0.05 (Cuzzolin, 1992) [23]…”