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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

The prevention of antibiotic resistance during treatment

J D Williams1, A M Sefton

  • 1Bartholomews and Royal London School of Medicine, UK.

Infection
|July 8, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Preventing antibiotic resistance during treatment is crucial. Strategies include avoiding antibiotics that promote gene transfer, minimizing selection of resistant variants, and preserving susceptible normal flora to limit antimicrobial resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat.
  • Emergence of resistant bacteria during treatment complicates antimicrobial therapy.
  • Understanding resistance mechanisms is key to prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss strategies for limiting the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria during antimicrobial treatment.
  • To focus on preventing resistance acquisition and selection, not person-to-person spread.
  • To provide insights for optimizing antimicrobial prescribing practices.

Main Methods:

  • Review of mechanisms of antibiotic resistance emergence.
  • Discussion of therapeutic approaches to minimize resistance development.
  • Analysis of factors influencing selection of resistant bacterial strains.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic resistance emerges via gene acquisition, selection of resistant variants, or selection of naturally resistant strains.
  • Minimizing resistance requires avoiding antibiotics that facilitate gene transfer and preserving susceptible normal flora.
  • Strategies focus on preventing resistance acquisition and selection during therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Limiting the emergence of antibiotic resistance during treatment is achievable through careful antimicrobial selection and administration.
  • Preserving susceptible normal flora and avoiding selection of resistant variants are critical components of antimicrobial stewardship.
  • Further research and clinical implementation of these strategies are needed to combat antimicrobial resistance.

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