Scientists explain why it is dangerous to treat a cold with "mild" medicines
Cardiff University: throat lozenges containing antibiotics promote resistance in S. aureus and other dangerous bacteria.
Cardiff University: throat lozenges containing antibiotics promote resistance in S. aureus and other dangerous bacteria.
Research from Cardiff University shows that over-the-counter remedies (lozenges, pastilles) for sore throats may contribute to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The point is that antibiotic agents are often added to such products. Despite this, they fail to kill the dangerous pathogens. As a result, bacterial colonies grow stronger, evolve and develop protection against antibiotics.
Moreover, colds caused by viruses cannot be cured with antibiotic-based remedies. Meanwhile, conditionally pathogenic flora may be present in the oral cavity, which becomes activated after such "treatment". The researchers conducted experiments with four types of bacteria — Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Streptococcus pyogenes and Haemophilus influenzae. The bacteria were exposed for 24 hours at body temperature to various doses of gramicidin, neomycin, bacitracin and tyrothricin.
Bacteria that survived the treatment were tested for signs of antibiotic resistance. The scientists also determined whether the antibiotic concentration found in over-the-counter products was sufficient to destroy the pathogenic flora. It turned out that suppressing the growth of S. aureus and A. baumannii populations required large doses of neomycin, bacitracin and tyrothricin — exceeding the concentrations found in over-the-counter remedies.
Notably, when S. aureus bacteria came into contact with bacitracin, after 144 hours, even at a high antibiotic concentration, they began to multiply. When a lower concentration was used, the pathogen developed resistance to antibiotics.
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