Effects of phenoxymethylpenicillin and erythromycin in high oral doses on the salivary microflora

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Abstract
Phenoxymethylpenicillin and erythromycin base were given orally in repeated doses to 16 healthy volunteers in two studies. A 2 g dose of penicillin was given followed by eight doses of 0·8 g, administered 6-hourly to eight subjects. A 0·5 g dose of erythromycin was given followed by six doses of 0·5 g, given 8-hourly to eight other volunteers. Saliva and blood samples were taken for 7 and 8 days, respectively, for cultivation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. With penicillin a significant decrease of, Streptococcus salivarius, Str. sanguis, Haemophilus influenzae, fusobacteria and leptotrichia was found and with erythromycin a significant decrease Str. salivarius and micrococci was found. No increased resistance to penicillin or erythromycin was found among the bacterial strains isolated. No toxin-producing clostridial strains were found. These doses seem to be acceptable from the point of view of the oral ecology.