Antibiotic_induced_longitudinal_alteration_to_the_microbiota_and_gut_physiology_

Oral antibiotics play an important role in treating infections in humans and animals at both intestinal and extra-intestinal sites. This study aimed to emulate an acute treatment course of human infection by the delivery of antibiotics via once-daily oral gavage for seven days. Off target side effects of these treatments, such as antibiotic rash, are well described. However, the temporal selective pressure on the microbiota and host colonic epithelial response is not well elucidated. Antibiotics were chosen by integrating data from the European Centre for Disease Control antibiotic consumption data and expert clinical opinion. The selected agents traverse antibiotic families whilst remaining clinically relevant as contemporary agents in routine use. Only preparations that would normally be delivered via the oral route were chosen to challenge mice.