Antibiotic resistance in both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria is becoming an urgent topic in human health. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotic resistance is developing in more and more bacteria. Resistance has been the cause of over 90,000 deaths nationwide, typically from patients with preexisting autoimmune diseases. Studies have been done to determine why more bacteria are acquiring resistance genes and the origin of these genes.
Previous research suggested that antibiotic resistance is spread via the gastrointestinal tract, particularly those of newborn infants who are not yet exposed to antibiotics. These resistance genes exit the body in feces and are later found in nonpathogenic bacteria in ready-to-consume food items. Researchers at Ohio State University performed a study to test this spread of resistance by inoculating Enterococcus and E. coli species with specific antibiotic resistance genes into mice and treated them with tetracycline or ampicillin either orally or via injection. The mice feces were inspected and it was found that oral antibiotics increased the spread of the resistance genes. It turns out the oral route greatly reduces the vital diversity of the gut flora which can result in many non-contagious diseases including autoimmune diseases.
Exposing the gut flora to antibiotics greatly diminishes the diversity of the gut. As the bacterial population in the gut are exposed to antibiotics, the cells that are resistant survive and exit the body through feces and ultimately gain access to livestock, food supplies, and soil where they multiply.
Injection is one of the best methods of administering antibiotics as they do not come into contact with the gastrointestinal tract. New methods of administration are being explored that include transdermal patches.