Effects of Antibiotics on Children's Gut Health in Peru
Author Information
Author(s): Sehgal Neha, Pajuelo Monica J., Gilman Robert H., Pickering Amy J., Earl Ashlee M., Worby Colin J., Nadimpalli Maya L.
Primary Institution: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Hypothesis
What are the effects of commonly used antibiotics on children's gut microbiomes and resistomes?
Conclusion
Common antibiotics like amoxicillin and azithromycin may increase antibiotic resistance genes without affecting gut microbiome diversity in young children.
Supporting Evidence
- The study included 54 children from a cohort of enteric infections in Lima.
- Stool samples were collected at multiple time points and analyzed for gut microbiome and ARGs.
- Amoxicillin and azithromycin were found to significantly impact antibiotic resistance genes.
Takeaway
This study shows that some antibiotics can make it easier for germs to resist medicine, even if they don't change the good bacteria in kids' tummies.
Methodology
The study involved stool samples from children and analyzed the effects of antibiotics on gut diversity and antibiotic resistance gene abundance using metagenomic sequencing.
Participant Demographics
Most children were vaginally delivered (73%) and received breastmilk almost daily, representing socioeconomically diverse households.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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