Could antibiotic treatment of traveller's diarrhoea even prolong elimination of pathogens?

The recent report by L ääveri et al. rightfully questions the liberal use of antibiotics (AB) for the treatment of traveller's diarrhoea (TD) [1]. It may shorten symptoms; however, the clinical benefit remains debatable. While AB may be indicated for immunocompromised individuals [2], the general use is doubtful, unless the TD is bloody and medical help cannot be immediately obtained. Of note, “severe diarrhoea” as criterion for AB use is dubious, as the case of norovirus infections demonstrate.

Source: Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease - July 17, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Thomas Hanscheid, Martin P. Grobusch Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research