Antibiotics used in combination are an effective strategy for combatting numerous infectious diseases in clinical and veterinary settings, particularly as a last-line therapy for difficult-to-treat cases. Combination therapy can either increase or slow the rate of killing, broaden the antibiotic spectrum, reduce dosage and unwanted side-effects, and even control the emergence of resistance. The administration of antibiotics in combination has been used effectively against bacterial infections for >70 years, first used to treat tuberculosis. However, effective antibiotic combinations and their dosage regimes have been largely determined empirically in the clinic, and the molecular mechanisms underpinning how these combinations work remains surprisingly elusive. This review focuses on studies that have outlined the genetics and molecular mechanisms of action underlying antibiotic combinations, as well as those that examine how resistance develops. We highlight the need for further experimentation and genetic validation to fully realise the potential of combination therapy.

中文翻译：

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抗生素如何协同作用：联合疗法背后的分子机制。

结合使用抗生素是在临床和兽医环境中对抗多种传染病的有效策略，尤其是作为难治病例的最后治疗方法。联合疗法可以增加或减慢杀灭率，扩大抗生素谱，减少剂量和不良副作用，甚至控制耐药性的出现。联合使用抗生素已有效地抵抗细菌感染超过70年，最早用于治疗结核病。但是，有效的抗生素组合及其剂量方案已在临床上很大程度上凭经验确定，而支持这些组合如何发挥作用的分子机制仍然令人难以捉摸。这篇综述的重点是概述了抗生素组合作用的遗传学和分子作用机理的研究，以及研究耐药性如何发展的研究。我们强调需要进一步的实验和基因验证，以充分实现联合治疗的潜力。