The effect of antibiotics on the composition of the intestinal microbiota - a systematic review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Antibiotics change the composition of the intestinal microbiota. The magnitude of the effect of antibiotics on the microbiota and whether the effects are short-term or persist long-term remain uncertain. In this review, we summarise studies that have investigated the effect of antibiotics on the composition of the human intestinal microbiota. METHODS: A systematic search was done to identify original studies that have investigated the effect of systemic antibiotics on the intestinal microbiota in humans. RESULTS: We identified 129 studies investigating 2076 participants and 301 controls. Many studies reported a decrease in bacterial diversity with antibiotic treatment. Penicillin ..