This article, Antibiotic overuse: Stop the killing of beneficial bacteria, by Martin Blaser [doi:10.1038/476393a] kicked up opinions on antibiotic overuse. That article is a collection of observations, not a scientific study, but it is compelling. The CDC is also worried about antibiotic resistance, and this concern runs beyond the US with the Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance formed in 2009.
One problem is that antibiotics could be killing off beneficial bacteria for good, not temporarily as used to be believed. Furthermore, the reduction in H. pylori matches a rise in reflux and cancer. Ouch!
Some bacteria are good, and antibiotics are not selective. I've said it before ...
