Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
08:33

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: November 17, 2018

Comparison of the effects of hospitalization and antibiotic usage on the aerobic intestinal flora

I Palabiyikoğlu1, K Keven, J S Bengisun

  • 1Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Ibn-i Sina Hospital, Medical Faculty of Ankara University, Turkey.

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|August 26, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic use significantly impacts the aerobic intestinal flora more than hospitalization alone. This highlights the critical role of antimicrobial stewardship in managing the spread of resistant bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, exacerbated by the widespread use of antimicrobial agents.
  • Multiresistant microorganisms pose an increasing risk, with the human intestinal flora serving as a significant reservoir.
  • AMR in clinical settings can lead to severe infections, treatment failures, and the need for more toxic drugs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of hospitalization versus antibiotic usage on the aerobic intestinal flora.
  • To investigate the impact of antimicrobial therapy on the gut microbiota composition.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 43 hospitalized adult patients with no recent history of hospitalization or antibiotic use.
  • Patients were categorized into antibiotic-treated and untreated groups based on their antimicrobial therapy.
  • Individual antimicrobial usage was meticulously recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic usage demonstrated a more pronounced effect on the aerobic intestinal flora compared to hospitalization alone.
  • Significant alterations in the gut microbiota were observed in patients receiving antimicrobial treatment.
  • Hospitalization without antibiotic medication had a lesser impact on the aerobic intestinal flora.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic administration is a primary driver of changes in the aerobic intestinal flora.
  • Prudent antimicrobial stewardship is essential to mitigate the development and spread of antibiotic resistance.
  • Understanding the impact of treatments on the gut microbiome is crucial for clinical practice.

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...