摘要：The emergence of multiple antibiotic resistant organisms in the general community is a potentiallyserious threat to public health. The emergence of antibiotic resistance has not yet prompted a radicalrevision of antibiotic utilisation. Instead it has prompted the development of additional antibiotics.Unfortunately, this does not relieve the underlying selection pressure that drives the development ofresistance. A paradigm shift in the treatment of infectious disease is necessary to prevent antibioticsbecoming obsolete and, where appropriate, alternatives to antibiotics ought to be considered. Thereare already several non-antibiotic approaches to the treatment and prevention of infection includingprobiotics, phages and phytomedicines. There is some evidence that probiotics such as Lactobacillusspp. or Saccharomyces boulardii are useful in the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea, includingClostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea that can be difficult to treat and recurs frequently.Bacteriophages have received renewed attention for the control of both staphylococcal and gastro-intestinal infections. Phytomedicines that have been utilised in the treatment of infections includeartesunate for malaria, tea tree oil for skin infections, honey for wound infections, mastic gum forHelicobacter pylori gastric ulcers and cranberry juice for urinary tract infections. Many infections mayprove amenable to safe and effective treatment with non-antibiotics
