The use of sequential treatments, that is, using alternating doses of antibiotics, might reduce the risk of the bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, according to a study in PLOS Biology.
Researchers found that even in bacteria that already had drug resistance genes, sequential treatments could be used to kill the bacteria. Sequential treatments didn't suppress the rise of all drug resistance mutations in the bacteria, however one drug would 'sensitize' the bacteria to the second drug, and thereby reduce the risk of drug resistance.
"One outcome of this highly surprising result will be to set in motion a series of studies to determine ways of using antibiotics not only in combination, but sequentially and with the potential for lower dosages than is currently thought possible," said Researcher Jessica Plucain, PhD.
