Correction: Azithromycin consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia, 2020

Bogdanić, Nikolina; Močibob, Loris; Vidović, Toni; Soldo, Ana; Begovać, Josip

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272324

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Similarly, the search for azithromycin occurred simultaneously in multiple countries. In Croatia, the demand for azithromycin in pharmacies increased by 1.94-fold during the pandemic, which is almost double the historically recorded demand [15]. Other countries have also shown an increase in azithromycin consumption at the same levels [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Increase in veterinary prescriptions of azithromycin during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Fiol¹,

Bergamaschi²,

Andrade-Jr.³

et al. 2023

J Infect Dev Ctries

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Introduction: With the advent of the pandemic in 2020 and the lack of perspectives on the treatment of COVID-19, numerous therapeutic proposals have emerged, including hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. Therefore, some studies have shown that in many countries, the demand for azithromycin has increased during the pandemic. In Brazil, antibiotics can only be purchased with a medical, dental, or veterinary prescription. This study aimed to determine whether the number of prescriptions made by veterinarians (which could be used by humans) has increased during the pandemic. Methodology: Data on the purchase of antibiotics made under veterinary prescriptions in Brazilian pharmacies between 2014 and 2021 were collected. To assess the changes in monthly trends in the use of the selected antibiotics, we applied the Joinpoint regression. Results: The most prescribed antibiotic in all years was cephalexin (35%), followed by amoxicillin (24%). During the pandemic, sales of azithromycin substantially increased. Regression analysis showed that since 2014, azithromycin prescriptions grew by an average of 0.67% per month. At the beginning of the pandemic, the monthly growth rate became 12.64%. When comparing azithromycin sales during the pandemic with the historical average (2014–2019), the increase was 41%. Conclusions: During the pandemic, there was no animal health situation in Brazil that required the use of this antibiotic. Veterinary prescriptions may have been an instrument for human access to azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19. Stricter enforcement policies are needed to address this problem to avoid antimicrobial resistance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Increase in veterinary prescriptions of azithromycin during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Fiol¹,

Bergamaschi²,

Andrade-Jr.³

et al. 2023

J Infect Dev Ctries

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The Challenges of Treating a Helicobacter pylori Infection following the COVID-19 Pandemic in Croatia: A Review

Jukic,

Vukovic

2024

JCM

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Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a prevalent bacterial pathogen implicated in different stomach and duodenal diseases, including chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer, and stomach cancer. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced antibiotic prescription practices, potentially exacerbating antibiotic resistance in H. pylori. Objective: This study aims to investigate antibiotic prescription during the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia and its possible impact on H. pylori antibiotic resistance, with a focus on Croatia. Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies from March 2020 to June 2024. The search strategy included terms related to COVID-19, antibiotic prescription, and Croatia. Studies were selected based on predefined eligibility criteria, focusing on observational research addressing antibiotic use during the pandemic. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant fluctuations in community antibiotic consumption within the European Union/European Economic Area. In Croatia, antibiotic use in 2022 surpassed 2019 levels, driven by increased consumption of macrolides and other antibiotics. This surge, influenced by early pandemic treatment claims and penicillin shortages, contributed to rising antibiotic resistance in H. pylori. Resistance rates to clarithromycin and levofloxacin were notably high, driven by mutations in the 23S rRNA, gyrA, and gyrB genes. Discussion: The increased antibiotic use during the COVID-19 pandemic has highly likely complicated H. pylori eradication efforts, highlighting the necessity of judicious antibiotic use and robust antimicrobial stewardship. The pandemic underscored the need for new therapeutic strategies, optimized eradication regimens, and advanced diagnostic methods to manage bacterial infections effectively. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected antibiotic use and resistance patterns, posing new challenges for H. pylori eradication. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including the development of new drugs and advanced diagnostics, coupled with sustained efforts in antimicrobial stewardship to combat emerging resistance threats.

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Correction: Azithromycin consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia, 2020

Cited by 2 publications

References 1 publication

Increase in veterinary prescriptions of azithromycin during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Increase in veterinary prescriptions of azithromycin during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

The Challenges of Treating a Helicobacter pylori Infection following the COVID-19 Pandemic in Croatia: A Review

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