Penicillin can potentiate chlamydia pneumonia (CP) and cause a false negative PCR test. Penicillin destroys the cell wall of the intracellular pathogen, but not the pathogen. It changes the shape and increases the size of reticulate bodies, extends the life-cycle from 20 to 72 hours, increases the number of elementary bodies, and can enhance the spread and chronicity of CP.  In our book we discusses numerous examples across many chronic diseases of patients who likely had an intracellular infection, based on their diagnosis, and were given penicillin, who subsequently developed a worse outcome or chronic disease.

Penicillin, amoxicillin, Augmentin, and cephalosporins, are the most frequently prescribed antibiotics, in the United States; are the most likely to cause antibiotic resistance; and the most likely to damage the balance and diversity of good bacteria and fungus, in the microbiome and mycobiome.  These drugs are first-line antibiotic treatment, in part due to a low cost, insurance company pressure, peer pressure, and an assumption that all antibiotics are the same and to be avoided.

Prior penicillin use can conceal the diagnosis of an intracellular pathogen in chronic disease, and confound both the diagnosis in the patient and the findings in research. Penicillin should only be used when necessary, based on a culture and sensitivity; and avoided when possible.  If use of penicillin is limited, over time, some of its effectiveness could return.