The resistance within: Antibiotic disruption of the gut microbiome and resistome dynamics in infancy

Intestinal host-microbiota interactions during the first year of life are critical for infant development. Early-life antibiotic exposures disrupt stereotypical gut microbiota maturation and adversely affect childhood health. Furthermore, antibiotics increase the abundance of resistant bacteria and enrich the resistome???the compendium of antibiotic resistance genes???within the gut microbiota. Here, we discuss acute and persistent impacts of antibiotic exposure during infancy on pediatric health, the gut microbiome, and, particularly, the resistome. Reviewing our current understanding of antibiotic resistance acquisition and dissemination within and between microbiomes, we highlight open questions, which are imperative to resolve in the face of rising bacterial resistance.

Automated summary

Intestinal host-microbiota interactions are crucial for infant development. Antibiotic exposures during infancy disrupt gut microbiota maturation, increase the abundance of resistant bacteria, and enrich the resistome within the gut microbiota. This review discusses the impacts of antibiotic exposure on pediatric health, the gut microbiome, and the resistome, highlighting unresolved questions regarding antibiotic resistance acquisition and dissemination.