Pandemic Pressure: How Azithromycin Use Shaped Resistance and Clonal Shifts in Staphylococcus aureus
Science FeaturedThursday, July 3, 2025 at 5:56:16 PM
During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals saw a troubling rise in Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections that were more resistant to antibiotics. One likely culprit? The heavy use of azithromycin—a go-to antibiotic for pneumonia—which may have inadvertently fueled stronger, harder-to-treat bacterial strains. Researchers are now connecting the dots between pandemic-era prescribing habits and shifts in how these dangerous bacteria evolve and spread.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a niche science story—it’s a wake-up call. Overusing antibiotics during crises can backfire, leaving us with tougher superbugs. If hospitals don’t adapt their strategies, common infections could become deadlier down the line. It’s a reminder that every medical decision, even in emergencies, has long-term consequences.
— Curated via WP Now’s
