Dangers of Irrational Antibiotic Use on the Microbiome

Context: Overuse of antibiotics poses significant risks, especially to the human microbiome.

• While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a well-known issue, the impact on the microbiome is often overlooked.
• The microbiome consists of various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
• Gut microbiome: Essential for digestion, immune function, and nutrient production.
• Skin microbiome: Protects against harmful microorganisms and maintains skin health.
• Respiratory tract microbiome: Shields against respiratory infections.
• Genitourinary microbiome: Supports urinary and reproductive health.

Impact of Antibiotics on the Microbiome:

• Dysbiosis: Imbalance caused by excessive antibiotic use can eliminate beneficial gut bacteria, leading to conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
• Compromised Colonization Resistance: Weakens immune defenses, increasing vulnerability to infections and autoimmune diseases.
• Disruption of Gut-Organ Interactions: Affects mood, cognition, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression; can also exacerbate skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
• Impaired Metabolism: Contributes to obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Way Forward:

• Raising Public Awareness: Campaigns like the UK’s “Keep Antibiotics Working” have successfully reduced unnecessary prescriptions by educating the public about the dangers of antibiotic misuse.
• Strengthening Regulatory Frameworks:
  • In 2019, India banned colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, in animal feed and food production due to concerns over antimicrobial resistance.
  • Denmark’s stringent regulations on antibiotic use in agriculture, including banning antibiotics as growth promoters, have significantly reduced antibiotic use.
• Advancing Scientific Research: Georgia has been at the forefront of bacteriophage therapy, which shows promise in treating antibiotic-resistant infections where traditional antibiotics are ineffective.
• Encouraging Global Collaboration: The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) fosters international efforts to develop new antibiotics, focusing on making these treatments accessible in low-income countries.