Influence of antibiotic treatment duration on the development of antibiotic resistance

Avoidance of unnecessary antimicrobial administration is a key point of antimicrobial stewardship; knowing the optimal duration of therapy obviates over-treatment. In this article we have highlighted the results of modern research on the influence of the duration of antibiotic use on the success of treatment and the development of resistance of microorganisms. Foreign literary sources and the results of scientific research by experts in this field are analyzed. Based on the research results, the following conclusions were made. The results of modern studies on the duration of antibiotic use show that short-course antibiotic therapy is superior to usual long-course antimicrobial treatment. A short course of antibiotic therapy usually leads to the same positive clinical outcomes, a lower rate of antibiotic resistance and the number of clinical relapses. The two most important potential complications associated with the duration of antibiotic therapy are incomplete treatment and the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The time points used for antibiotic treatment (clinical or bacteriological cure, relapses, etc.) are subjective, complex and unreliable. The effectiveness of procalcitonin or other blood parameters for use in monitoring antibiotic treatment requires more focused studies. Despite the high relevance and publicity of various aspects of antibiotic therapy in the practice of human and animal healthcare, research on the efficacy and consequences of short-term antibiotic therapy in veterinary medicine is limited. More attention should be paid to this issue, especially in the field of animal husbandry. Key words: antibiotic resistance, antibiotic, microorganisms, treatment scheme, animals, duration of antibiotic therapy, clinical result, relapses.