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Antibiotic use was linked to long-lasting gut microbiome changes

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Research area:biology-geneticsmicrobiome

What the study found

Oral antibiotic use was associated with changes in gut microbiome composition, including lower species diversity and altered abundance of some species. The associations were strongest for antibiotic use less than 1 year before fecal sampling, but they were also seen for use 1-4 years and 4-8 years earlier.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that antibiotics may have long-lasting consequences for the gut microbiome. They note this because disruptions in the gut microbiome have been implicated in cardiometabolic disorders and other health outcomes.

What the researchers tested

The researchers combined data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register with fecal metagenomes from 14,979 adults. They examined associations between oral antibiotic use over 8 years and gut microbiome features using multivariable confounder-adjusted regression models.

What worked and what didn't

Antibiotic use less than 1 year before sampling was associated with the greatest reduction in species diversity. Clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and flucloxacillin accounted for most of the associations with individual species, while penicillin V, extended-spectrum penicillins, and nitrofurantoin were associated with only a few species. Similar results were found when comparing one antibiotic course 4-8 years before sampling with no antibiotic use in the past 8 years.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not describe specific limitations beyond the observational nature of the analysis. The results show associations, not proof that antibiotics caused the microbiome changes.

Key points

  • Oral antibiotic use was linked to lower gut microbiome species diversity.
  • The strongest associations were seen when antibiotics were used less than 1 year before sampling.
  • Associations were also present for antibiotic use 1-4 years and 4-8 years earlier.
  • Clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and flucloxacillin explained most species-level associations.
  • The study included 14,979 adults and combined prescription records with fecal metagenomes.

Disclosure

Research title:
Antibiotic use was linked to long-lasting gut microbiome changes
Authors:
Gabriel Baldanzi, Anna Larsson, Sergi Sayols-Baixeras, Koen F. Dekkers, Ulf Hammar, Diem Nguyen, Tíscar Graells, Shafqat Ahmad, Camila Gazolla Volpiano, Guillaume Méric, Josef D. Järhult, Thomas Tängdén, Jonas F. Ludvigsson, Lars Lind, Johan Sundström, Karl Michaëlsson, Johan Ärnlöv, Beatrice Kennedy, Marju Orho-Melander, Tove Fall
Institutions:
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Center for Clinical Research Dalarna, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Dalarna University, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Institutet, La Trobe University, Lund University, Lund University, Örebro University Hospital, Science for Life Laboratory, Södertörn University, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, University of Bath, UNSW Sydney, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University, Uppsala University
Publication date:
2026-03-11
DOI:
10.1038/s41591-026-04284-y
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by gpt-5.4-mini (OpenAI). The original authors did not write or review this post.

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