A study published ahead of print from the American Society of Microbiology in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy shows a correlation between antibiotic resistance and oral antibiotic administration.
In the study, mice were inoculated with bacteria, some of which carried genes for antibiotic resistance. The animals were then administered either oral or intravenous antibiotics. Afterwards, researchers analyzed the genetics of each mouse's gut flora.
Mice dosed with oral antibiotics showed a quick and dramatic spread of antibiotic resistance genes among gut flora bacteria, while mice that received IV antibiotics showed much lower levels and slower presentation of the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
The data suggest that method of antibiotic administration may be an important factor in development and spread of antibiotic resistance among microorganisms.
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