Orally administered targeted recombinant Beta-lactamase prevents ampicillin-induced selective pressure on the gut microbiota: a novel approach to reducing antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2004 Jan;48(1):75-9. doi: 10.1128/AAC.48.1.75-79.2004.

Abstract

Antibiotics that are excreted into the intestinal tract promote antibiotic resistance by exerting selective pressure on the gut microbiota. Using a beagle dog model, we show that an orally administered targeted recombinant beta-lactamase enzyme eliminates the portion of parenteral ampicillin that is excreted into the small intestine, preventing ampicillin-induced changes to the fecal microbiota without affecting ampicillin levels in serum. In dogs receiving ampicillin, significant disruption of the fecal microbiota and the emergence of ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli and TEM genes were observed, whereas in dogs treated with ampicillin in combination with an oral beta-lactamase, these did not occur. These results suggest a new strategy for reducing antimicrobial resistance in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Ampicillin / administration & dosage
  • Ampicillin / pharmacokinetics
  • Ampicillin / pharmacology*
  • Ampicillin Resistance / genetics
  • Ampicillin Resistance / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Digestive System / drug effects
  • Digestive System / microbiology*
  • Dogs
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Infusions, Parenteral
  • Jejunum / microbiology
  • Male
  • Penicillins / administration & dosage
  • Penicillins / pharmacokinetics
  • Penicillins / pharmacology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Tablets, Enteric-Coated
  • beta-Lactamases / administration & dosage
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics
  • beta-Lactamases / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Penicillins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tablets, Enteric-Coated
  • Ampicillin
  • beta-Lactamases