Swedish researchers have found that even a single dose of antibiotics can change the gut microflora for years. According to the study, the effects can last up to 4–8 years.
Antibiotics save lives, but they should only be taken under strict indications, partly because these drugs negatively affect gut microflora, writes Doctorpiter. Swedish scientists have proven that this influence is much stronger than previously thought.
New research shows that certain types of antibiotics may be associated with changes in the gut microbiome for 4–8 years after treatment. Moreover, even a single course of treatment is sufficient for long-term changes. This is stated in a study from Uppsala University, which involved nearly 15,000 people.
It turned out that those who had not taken antibiotics in the last eight years had an average of 350 species of bacteria. Those who took the medications had lower species diversity, which may be linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal infections.
Scientists believe that doctors should consider not only the effectiveness of an antibiotic when prescribing it but also its impact on the microbiome.
"The results of our study may help in developing future guidelines for antibiotic use, especially when choosing between two equally effective antibiotics, one of which has a milder impact on the gut microbiome," says the lead author of the study, Tove Fall, a professor of molecular epidemiology at Uppsala University.
The researchers acknowledge that their work covered data only from the last eight years, and microbiome samples from each participant were taken only once. The team is now collecting follow-up samples from nearly half of the volunteers. This will help better understand how long it takes for the flora to recover after antibiotics and which types of microbiomes are most vulnerable.
The discovery underscores the importance of cautious antibiotic use: their impact extends far beyond treating infections, writes bb.lv. Experts believe that when choosing medications, it is essential to consider not only their effectiveness but also their impact on the microbiome.
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