A study by the University of Tübingen shows that many non-antibiotics damage the gut microbiome, making it easier for pathogenic bacteria such as salmonella to colonize. Under the direction of Professor Lisa Maier from the Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, the effects of 53 common drugs, including allergy medications, antidepressants and hormone preparations, were investigated. The results, published in the journal Nature, reveal that around a third of these drugs promote the growth of salmonella by inhibiting beneficial intestinal bacteria and causing a microbial imbalance.

Tests in synthetic and real human intestinal communities as well as in mice showed that these drugs reduce the biomass of the intestinal flora, disrupt biodiversity or eliminate competing bacteria that normally keep pathogens in check. According to the authors, this leads to more severe courses of infections such as salmonellosis, especially in weakened or elderly people.

The researchers are calling for the effects of drugs on the microbiome to be systematically tested, particularly in the case of antihistamines, antipsychotics and oestrogen receptor modulators. To this end, they developed a high-throughput method to identify risks at an early stage. The study emphasizes the need to evaluate drugs not only pharmacologically but also microbiologically in order to develop therapies with fewer side effects. Microbiome research in Tübingen is thus making an important contribution to safer drug development.

Original Paper:

Non-antibiotics disrupt colonization resistance against enteropathogens | Nature

Read also:

Increasing consumption of antibiotics in Germany – MedLabPortal

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