International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
Antibiotics can change the gut microbiome in ways that may raise IBD risk or worsen disease for some people. Knowing which antibiotic classes and approaches may be less harmful could help patients and clinicians reduce long-term harms and support recovery of a healthy microbiome.
Who Should Pay Attention
Patients with IBD (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), clinicians who prescribe antibiotics, gastroenterology researchers, and people interested in microbiome-targeted therapies.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This review summarizes evidence that antibiotics affect IBD risk and disease course in ways that depend on antibiotic class, spectrum, cumulative exposure, and age at exposure. Broad-spectrum and anti-anaerobic agents are reported to have the strongest links to dysbiosis and increased IBD risk.
The authors describe mechanisms including loss of beneficial commensals, reduced microbial metabolites, expansion of pathobionts and resistance genes, and impaired epithelial and immune homeostasis.
The paper also reviews microbiome-preserving or restorative strategies such as antimicrobial stewardship, fecal microbiota transplantation, and pre/pro/postbiotics, plus dietary approaches.
For patients and clinicians, the take-home is that antibiotic choice and necessity matter for long-term microbiome health; the review emphasizes precision and stewardship but does not provide individualized treatment recommendations. Structured content depth: abstract — this brief is grounded in the article abstract and review text provided by the journal.
Keep In Mind
This article is a review (structured content depth: abstract) synthesizing epidemiologic, mechanistic, and clinical studies. It highlights associations and proposed mechanisms rather than reporting a single new trial or causal proof. Recommendations are general and aimed at informing stewardship and future research.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
AuthorsBhargavi Rajarathinam, P. M. Nair, Neeraja Murali +10 more
InstitutionAmrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Study typeArticle
Indexed viaOpenAlex
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedJul 22, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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