Study Discusses Antibiotic Use in Rosacea, Resistance Issues
A new study published in the journal Cutis discusses the decreased sensitivity of some bacterial organisms, such as Propionibacterium acnes, to antibiotics commonly prescribed by dermatologists. As topical antibiotics are a common part of any treatment regimen for rosacea, this study is of great importance to those in the rosacea community.
The article, by University of Nevada researchers, provides valuable recommendations for the preservation of the therapeutic value of antibiotics and for the proper prescribing of them. Here is an excerpt:
The potential clinical outcomes of altered bacterial sensitivities may vary among specific disease states and include decreased therapeutic response and the need to alter approaches in disease management.
Additionally, changing patterns of antibiotic sensitivity and the emergence of more virulent pathogens, such as community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, macrolide-resistant staphylococci and streptococci, and mupirocin-resistant S aureus, have led to marked changes in how clinicians use antibiotics in clinical practice.
Hopefully as a result of heightened awareness of this problem brought on by such articles antibiotics can be preserved as a valuable tool in our treatment armamentarium.
