Antibiotics are primarily known for their role in killing or inhibiting the growth of pathogens. However, growing evidence suggests that antibiotics also exert profound effects on the immune system, both directly and indirectly. Antibiotic-induced immune modulation refers to the ability of antibiotics to alter the immune response, potentially enhancing or suppressing immune functions. These changes can affect the body’s ability to fight infections, influence autoimmune responses, and contribute to the development of immune-related disorders.
While antibiotics are essential in combating bacterial infections, their impact extends beyond pathogen suppression. Antibiotics can modulate the immune system in ways that can influence the outcome of infections, the development of chronic diseases, and the body's response to other treatments.
This session will focus on the immune-modulatory effects of antibiotics, examining how different classes of antibiotics can affect innate and adaptive immunity. We will explore how antibiotics can alter the microbiome, influencing immune responses both systemically and locally in areas like the gut, respiratory tract, and skin. Moreover, the session will investigate the therapeutic implications of understanding antibiotic-induced immune modulation, particularly in the context of infection control, autoimmune diseases, and immunotherapy.
Key topics to be covered include:
- Mechanisms of immune modulation by antibiotics: direct effects on immune cells (e.g., T cells, macrophages) and signaling pathways
- The role of the microbiome in regulating immune responses and how antibiotics disrupt this balance
- Antibiotic-induced inflammation: The link between antibiotic use and the activation of inflammatory pathways
- Antibiotics and the cytokine network: Impact on pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines
- Long-term effects of antibiotics on immune tolerance and autoimmunity
- Antibiotic use in immune-compromised patients: Balancing infection control with immune modulation
- Effects of antibiotics on vaccine efficacy and immunization responses
- The role of antibiotic stewardship in mitigating unintended immune modulation
- Clinical examples of antibiotic-induced immune modulation in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and allergic reactions
- Targeted approaches to mitigate the immune-modulatory effects of antibiotics while maintaining their efficacy in infections
This session is ideal for immunologists, infectious disease specialists, pharmacologists, and clinicians interested in understanding the full spectrum of antibiotic effects, particularly those related to immune function and patient outcomes.