To give or not to give antibiotics is not the only question

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Magalhaes, C (Author) FCUP; Teixeira, L (Author) ICBAS; Trieu Cuot, P (Author) Other; Paula Ferreira (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: The Lancet Infectious Diseases

Vol. 21

Pages: E191-E201

ISSN: 1473-3099

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 11 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-A8M

DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30602-2

Abstract (EN): In a 1945 Nobel Lecture, Sir Alexander Fleming warned against the overuse of antibiotics, particularly in response to public pressure. In the subsequent decades, evidence has shown that bacteria can become resistant to almost any available molecule. One key question is how the emergence and dissemination of resistant bacteria or resistance genes can be delayed. Although some clinicians remain sceptical, in this Personal View, we argue that the prescription of fewer antibiotics and shorter treatment duration is just as effective as longer regimens that remain the current guideline. Additionally, we discuss the fact that shorter antibiotic treatments exert less selective pressure on microorganisms, preventing the development of resistance. By contrast, longer treatments associated with a strong selective pressure favour the emergence of resistant clones within commensal organisms. We also emphasise that more studies are needed to identify the optimal duration of antibiotic therapy for common infections, which is important for making changes to the current guidelines, and to identify clinical biomarkers to guide antibiotic treatment in both hospital and ambulatory settings.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11