Prevention of Bacterial Overgrowth

Myeloperoxidase Selectively Binds and Selectively Kills Microbes

“…The significance of viridans group streptococci in this regard was described by Sprunt et al "Members of the viridans group of streptococci, the predominant strains of the oropharyngeal flora in most individuals, can inhibit the growth of enteric Gram-negative bacilli, the organisms that commonly overgrow at this site following therapy with massive doses of penicillin. It was proposed that suppression (or elimination) of these streptococci by massive doses of antibiotics suppresses (or eliminates) their inhibitory action and permits multiplication of the previously inhibited (or newly introduced) bacilli" (36).…”

Abnormal Colonization of Neonates in an ICU: Conversion to Normal Colonization by Pharyngeal Implantation of Alpha Hemolytic Streptococcus Strain 215

“…The latter criterion was considered potentially useful in that a-streptococci resistant to 1 unit and sensitive to 3 units of penicillin were found and persisted in the pharynx of adults given high doses of peniciliin IV; streptococcal persistence apparently prevented abnormal wlonization (14). It should be possible, therefore, for the implant strain to persist through subsequent courses of antibiotics or to be selected by future therapy and maintain a normal pattern of pharyngeal flora for the implanted infant.…”

“…Strains of the viridans group of streptococci play an @portant role in maintenance of the nonnal balance. They inhibit growth of abnormal colonizers of the pharynx in vitro and apparently in vivo (1, 8, 1 1, 12) in that their suppression by antibiotics correlates with the occurrence of abnormal colonization (14,16). Deliberate preselection of penicillinresistant alpha hemolytic (a-) streptococci in the pharynx by prior PO penicillin therapy permits persistence of these streptococci during a subsequent period of high-dose penicillin therapy.…”

“…Deliberate preselection of penicillinresistant alpha hemolytic (a-) streptococci in the pharynx by prior PO penicillin therapy permits persistence of these streptococci during a subsequent period of high-dose penicillin therapy. Their persistence prevents abnormal colonization (14).…”

Abnormal Colonization of Neonates in an Intensive Care Unit: Means of Identifying Neonates at Risk of Infection

“…It has been recognized for some time that suppression of a-streptococci by penicillin therapy is followed by abnormal colonization of the pharynx and the threat of superinfection (2,(4)(5)(6)(7). Prospective selection of penicillinresistant a-streptococci in pharyngeal flora by prior oral administration of penicillin permits survival of the a-streptococci during high dose penicillin therapy, and abnormal colonization does not occur (4). The data from the three infants with normal flora in spite of antibiotic therapy indicate that low degrees of resistance of a-streptococci to penicillin or ampicillin are sufficient to permit persistence in neonates as well as in older individuals.…”