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

() 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 . This study aims to investigate antibiotic prescription during the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia and its possible impact on antibiotic resistance, with a focus on Croatia. 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. 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 . Resistance rates to clarithromycin and levofloxacin were notably high, driven by mutations in the 23S rRNA, gyrA, and gyrB genes. The increased antibiotic use during the COVID-19 pandemic has highly likely complicated 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. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected antibiotic use and resistance patterns, posing new challenges for 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.