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Antibiosis – Effects, Uses and Side Effects
Antibiosis refers to the treatment of bacterial infections using antibiotics. These substances inhibit bacterial growth or kill bacteria directly.
Add as Preferred SourceThings worth knowing about "Antibiosis"
Antibiosis refers to the treatment of bacterial infections using antibiotics. These substances inhibit bacterial growth or kill bacteria directly.
What is Antibiosis?
The term antibiosis originates from the Greek, meaning literally “against life.” In medicine, it refers to the targeted treatment of bacterial infections using antibiotics. These substances interfere with vital processes in bacteria without – when used correctly – harming human cells. Antibiosis is one of the most important therapeutic tools in modern medicine and has saved countless lives since the discovery of penicillin in the 1920s.
How Does Antibiosis Work?
Antibiotics work in different ways depending on the class of the drug:
- Bacteriostatic: The substance inhibits bacterial reproduction, allowing the immune system to eliminate the remaining pathogens.
- Bactericidal: The substance kills bacteria directly.
The main targets of antibiotics include:
- Cell wall synthesis (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins)
- Bacterial protein synthesis (e.g., macrolides, tetracyclines)
- Bacterial DNA replication (e.g., fluoroquinolones)
- Bacterial cell membrane (e.g., polymyxins)
When is Antibiosis Used?
Antibiosis is effective only against diseases caused by bacteria. It does not work against viruses, fungi, or parasites. Common indications include:
- Urinary tract infections
- Respiratory tract infections (e.g., pneumonia, bacterial bronchitis)
- Skin and wound infections
- Streptococcal tonsillitis
- Bacterial gastrointestinal infections
- Sepsis (bloodstream infection)
Diagnosis and Pathogen Identification
Before initiating antibiotic therapy, it is important to identify the causative pathogen whenever possible. This is done through microbiological tests such as swabs, blood cultures, or urine samples. An antibiogram can then be used to determine which antibiotics the pathogen is sensitive or resistant to, enabling the most effective therapy to be selected and avoiding unnecessary broad-spectrum treatment.
Dosage and Duration of Treatment
The dosage and duration of antibiotic treatment depend on:
- The type of pathogen
- The severity of the infection
- The body weight and general health of the patient
- Any pre-existing conditions or kidney function impairment
It is important to complete the full course of antibiotic therapy even if symptoms have already resolved. Stopping treatment early may allow surviving bacteria to develop resistance.
Side Effects
In addition to their effects on pathogens, antibiotics can cause unwanted side effects:
- Gastrointestinal complaints (diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting)
- Disruption of the gut microbiome through the killing of beneficial bacteria
- Allergic reactions (e.g., skin rash, rarely anaphylactic shock)
- Fungal infections (e.g., vaginal thrush, oral thrush) due to changes in the normal body flora
- Class-specific side effects (e.g., tendon damage from fluoroquinolones)
Antibiotic Resistance
One of the most pressing global health challenges is the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Overuse or incorrect use of antibiotics – for example, in viral infections or as growth promoters in livestock farming – enables bacteria to develop mechanisms to resist these drugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies antibiotic resistance as one of the greatest threats to global public health. Responsible use of antibiotics is therefore essential.
Prophylactic Antibiosis
In certain situations, antibiotics are also used preventively, for example:
- Before surgical procedures to prevent wound infections (perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis)
- In immunocompromised individuals with an elevated risk of infection
- In patients with recurrent urinary tract infections
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): Antimicrobial resistance. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): Antimicrobial resistance. Available at: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/antimicrobial-resistance
- Rang, H.P. et al.: Rang and Dale's Pharmacology. 9th edition. Elsevier, 2019.
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