Duration of antibiotic therapy: with or without biomarkers?

Acute and Critical Care 2026 Open access

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Authors: Gonçalo Guerreiro, João Fustiga, Pedro Manuel Sarmento Rodrigues Póvoa
DOI: 10.4266/acc.002525
Cited by: 0
References: 29

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a critical global health challenge. Significant variability in antibiotic prescribing practices underscores the urgent need for high-quality evidence to inform optimal antibiotic prescribing policies. The ideal duration of antimicrobial therapy remains uncertain, and a one-size-fits-all approach is far from ideal. In this review, we examine bacterial growth kinetics and antibiotic pharmacodynamics and explore various strategies for determining the duration of antibiotic therapy: fixed duration, biomarker-guided, clinical course-based, and the more recent double-trigger approach.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Antibiotic Use and Resistance Antibiotics Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy Urinary Tract Infections Management

Publication details

Journal / source
Acute and Critical Care
Volume
41
Issue
1
Pages
1–11
Publication date
29 January 2026
Language
EN