About this Research Topic

Background

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to a global crisis of antibiotic resistance, posing a significant threat to public health. As the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics diminishes, it is imperative to explore alternative strategies for combating infections. Probiotics and prebiotics offer promising avenues for addressing antibiotic resistance. Probiotics can help restore the balance of the gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in immune function and protection against pathogens. Prebiotics selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria. By promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms, probiotics, and prebiotics can help reduce antibiotic-resistant pathogens' prevalence.

The primary goal of exploring probiotics and prebiotics beyond antibiotics is to address the escalating global health crisis of antibiotic resistance. This topic aims to highlight several key areas:
• Evaluate Efficacy: Assess the effectiveness of probiotics and prebiotics in combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
• Investigate Mechanisms: Understand how probiotics and prebiotics interact with gut microbiota to influence infection susceptibility.
• Assess Safety: Evaluate the safety and tolerability of probiotics and prebiotics for human consumption.
• Explore Synergy: Examine the potential synergistic effects of combining probiotics and prebiotics with conventional antibiotics.
• Identify Optimal Strains: Determine which probiotic and prebiotic strains or combinations are most effective in combating antibiotic resistance.
• Develop Guidelines: Create guidelines for the appropriate use of probiotics and prebiotics as adjunct therapies to antibiotics.
• Raise Awareness: Increase awareness of the potential benefits of probiotics and prebiotics in addressing the global challenge of antibiotic resistance.

This research collection seeks to unfold the potential of probiotics and prebiotics as alternative or complementary therapies in the fight against antibiotic resistance. We welcome all types of submissions that advance these objectives and contribute to mitigating this pressing global health issue.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance, Alternative Therapies, Infection control, Natural Antimicrobial Agents, Phytochemicals, Probiotics, Bacteriocins, Antimicrobial Peptides., Drug delivery systems, Natural extracts, Nanotechnology, Emerging infectious diseases

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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