Inhaled antibiotics for acute lower respiratory tract infections in primary care: a hypothesis

Abstract

Acute respiratory tract infections are the largest single contributor to the global disease burden as measured by disability-adjusted life-years.1 Acute lower respiratory tract infections are the most common condition managed by primary care worldwide,2 but around 50% of antibiotics given for acute lower respiratory tract infections are considered inappropriate,3 unnecessarily contributing to antimicrobial resistance in both target and so-called bystander bacteria.4 Antibiotic-resistant acute lower respiratory tract infections are the leading cause of antimicrobial resistance deaths worldwide.