Will reducing antibiotics cause more infections? Imperial scientists investigate

Researchers from Imperial are investigating whether reducing the number of antibiotics prescribed to patients could increase serious infections. In a bid to combat the growing number of bacteria resistant to our most commonly used treatments, medical staff and patients have recently been urged to reduce antibiotic use. Not only has the NHS issued guidance and policies to lower unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, but a recent Government report predicted the annual death toll from drug resistant infections could reach 10 million people globally by 2050 - more than currently die of cancer. Unnecessary or inappropriate prescribing of antibiotic is a key driver of resistance, yet a recent report revealed an overall increase in antibiotic prescribing in 2014 in England. However, despite the urgency to reduce antibiotic prescribing, no research has yet been conducted to assess whether limiting antibiotic use could lead to unintended consequences - such as a greater number of patients being admitted to hospital with serious infections. During an 18-month project, scientists from the Imperial NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) will investigate this topic, combining data from hospital admissions and GP appointments, as well as mortality data. They will use this information to monitor whether reducing the number of antibiotics prescribed to patients could lead to an increase in the number of serious infections, and even deaths.