Vermeij JD, et al. - Researchers ascertained if preventive antibiotics in ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke reduce the risk of a poor functional outcome (dependency or death) and reduce the overall infection rate and reduce the rate of urinary tract infections or pneumonia as well as lead to an increased rate of serious adverse events. For the purpose of this analysis, they searched multiple databases, trials registers, references, and contacted authors in the field. Randomized controlled trials on preventive antibiotics vs placebo or standard care were included. Eight studies were involved with a total of four thousand, four hundred eighty-eight patients. After an acute stroke, preventive antibiotics did not affect functional outcome. They reported that the risk of any overall poststroke infection, however, was significantly reduced. It was noted that this reduction was highly significant for urinary tract infections, whereas no significant reduction of pneumonia was found and no major side effects had been reported.