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Review
. 2020 Feb 17;8(2):269.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8020269.

Gut Microbiota, Antibiotic Therapy and Antimicrobial Resistance: A Narrative Review

Benoit Pilmis  1   2   3 , Alban Le Monnier  3   4 , Jean-Ralph Zahar  5   6
Affiliations
Review

Gut Microbiota, Antibiotic Therapy and Antimicrobial Resistance: A Narrative Review

Benoit Pilmis et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a major concern. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated direct relationships between antibiotic consumption and emergence/dissemination of resistant strains. Within the last decade, authors confounded spectrum activity and ecological effects and did not take into account several other factors playing important roles, such as impact on anaerobic flora, biliary elimination and sub-inhibitory concentration. The ecological impact of antibiotics on the gut microbiota by direct or indirect mechanisms reflects the breaking of the resistance barrier to colonization. To limit the impact of antibiotic therapy on gut microbiota, consideration of the spectrum of activity and route of elimination must be integrated into the decision. Various strategies to prevent (antimicrobial stewardship, action on residual antibiotics at colonic level) or cure dysbiosis (prebiotic, probiotic and fecal microbiota transplantation) have been introduced or are currently being developed.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance; gut microbiota; multidrug resistant pathogens.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Impact of antibitioc therapy on gut microbiota and management of dysbiosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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