Beneficial Bacteria Threatened by Long-Time Antibiotic Use

Common antibacterial drugs such as ciprofloxacin, used to treat urinary tract infections, were once thought not to adversely affect gastrointestinal bacteria. However, a study recently conducted at Stanford shows this not to be the case. Researchers collected fecal matter from volunteers being treated with ciprofloxacin. The study showed that 30% of the bacteria normally present were affected while the patients were on the drug. Moreover, when the course of treatment ended, the bacteria did not return to normal until up to four weeks later. The study indicated that long-term antibiotic use may have long-term effects that may not be noticed.HealthDay, November 20, 2008 
2008-11-22 19:42:29