Study Links Antibiotic-Related Diarrhea to Gut Bacteria
Researchers at Singapore General Hospital have identified a link between diarrhea caused by a common antibiotic and the presence of Ruminococcaceae bacteria in the gut.
A joint study by Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and the Singapore-MIT Centre for Integrated Life Sciences & Technology has identified a link between diarrhea, a common side effect of the antibiotic amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin), and the levels of Ruminococcaceae bacteria in the gut.
The research found that patients with lower levels of Ruminococcaceae bacteria were more likely to develop diarrhea after taking Augmentin. This finding could aid in predicting and potentially preventing antibiotic-related adverse effects.
Augmentin, a widely used antibiotic for various infections, causes diarrhea in approximately one-third of patients who take it at SGH. This side effect can lead to premature discontinuation of medication, extended hospital stays, and potentially contribute to antibiotic resistance.
The research team developed a nucleic acid test to measure levels of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, the most abundant species within the Ruminococcaceae family. Lower F. prausnitzii levels correlated with a higher risk of diarrhea. Future applications could include personalized treatment strategies and the development of novel probiotics.
The study concludes that gut microbiome composition may influence individual responses to antibiotics. Researchers suggest similar frameworks can be used to investigate the causes of diarrhea from other antibiotic classes.