title: Antibiotics for the allergist: part 1.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review antibiotic use and selection for disorders commonly seen in allergy practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE searches were performed cross-referencing the keywords antibiotic, antimicrobial, management, and treatment with multiple disorders commonly seen in allergy practice. References of the chosen articles were also examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles were selected based on their relevance to the subject matter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A large body of research is available that is relevant to both conventional and novel uses of antibiotics. The use of antibiotics is in question for some disorders, whereas novel approaches to therapy with macrolide antibiotics are areas of active investigation. Meanwhile, patterns of microbial resistance continue to evolve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For decades, antibiotics have been traditional first-line treatments for many disorders. Recently, this paradigm appears to be shifting as periods of observation come into favor and nonbacterial causes of inflammation are under greater scrutiny. Nonetheless, appropriate antibiotic selection often remains a key element in the treatment of these disorders. Knowledge of the relevant microbiology is an inherent requirement in selecting antibiotic therapies and necessitates awareness of current trends in bacterial resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Immunology, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas 78236, USA. mark.lashell@lackland.af.mil
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: La Shell
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tankersley
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents