Abstract |
The microbiome in the human intestinal tract develops over time, eventually providing benefits to the individual. These benefits involve improved immunity, including providing resistance against pathogenic microorganisms, as well as participation of the microbiota in disposal of gastrointestinal waste and regulation of metabolism during development. Consequently, the effects of chemotherapy on the intestinal microflora may have implications on the health of patients with cancer. In this study, we evaluated the effects of chemotherapy on Escherichia coli as an indicator species for Enterobacteriaceae activity before and after chemotherapy treatment. We isolated E. coli from fecal samples of patients with cancer before and after chemotherapy treatment. Among 20 patients, three had E. coli in their fecal samples before and after chemotherapy treatment. The bacteria were identified by extracted DNA, and changes were examined in terms of biochemical activity, including the production of acids and gas, as well as the leakage of potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and chloride into the medium. We evaluated cell morphology by scanning electron microscopy, and the genome of E. coli was sequenced by r16S. The results showed damage to the cells after treatment, particularly production of gas and acids and leakage of phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and chloride before and after treatment. Overall, our findings showed that chemotherapy had a clear effect on the intestinal bacteria.
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