Antibiotics In Young Kids Can Cause Permanent Asthma, Allergies: Study
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published August 12, 2022 | 08:30 PM
Early exposure to antibiotics kills healthy bacteria in the digestive tract and can cause asthma and allergies, claims a new study conducted on mice
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Aug, 2022 ) :Early exposure to antibiotics kills healthy bacteria in the digestive tract and can cause asthma and allergies, claims a new study conducted on mice.
The study, published in 'Mucosal Immunology', has provided the strongest evidence, so far, that the long-observed connection between antibiotic exposure in early childhood and later development of asthma and allergies is causal.
"The practical implication is simple: Avoid antibiotic use in young children whenever you can because it may elevate the risk of significant, long-term problems with allergy or asthma," said Martin Blaser, director of the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine at Rutgers University in the US.
In the study, the researchers from Rutgers, New York University and the University of Zurich, noted that antibiotics, "among the most used medications in children, affect gut microbiome communities and metabolic functions. These changes in microbiota structure can impact host immunity," Science Daily reported .
In the first part of the experiment, five-day-old mice received water, azithromycin or amoxicillin. After the mice matured, researchers exposed them to a common allergen derived from house dust mites. Mice that had received either of the antibiotics, especially azithromycin, exhibited elevated rates of immune responses -- i.e., allergies.
The second and third parts of the experiment tested the hypothesis that early exposure to antibiotics (but not later exposure) causes allergies and asthma by killing some healthy gut bacteria that support proper immune system development.
Lead author Timothy Borbet first transferred bacteria-rich faecal samples from the first set of mice to a second set of adult mice with no previous exposure to any bacteria or germs.
Some received samples from mice given azithromycin or amoxicillin in infancy. Others received normal samples from mice that had received water.
Mice that received antibiotic-altered samples were no more likely than other mice to develop immune responses to house dust mites, just as people who receive antibiotics in adulthood are no more likely to develop asthma or allergies than those who don't.
Things were different, however, for the next generation. Offspring of mice that received antibiotic-altered samples reacted more to house dust mites than those whose parents received samples unaltered by antibiotics, just as mice that originally received antibiotics as babies reacted more to the allergen than those that received water.
"This was a carefully controlled experiment," said Blaser.
"The only variable in the first part was antibiotic exposure. The only variable in the second two parts was whether the mixture of gut bacteria had been affected by antibiotics. Everything else about the mice was identical.
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Naval Chief participates in 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium in China
2 hours ago -
Int'l symposium addresses capacity building for safe, environmentally sound ship recycling in Pakist ..
3 hours ago -
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
3 hours ago -
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
3 hours ago -
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
3 hours ago -
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
3 hours ago
-
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil Rights in South Asia ..
4 hours ago -
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
4 hours ago -
Pakistan embassy organizes scholarship award ceremony in Kathmandu
4 hours ago -
SC to hear case pertaining IHC judges' letter on April 30
4 hours ago -
SC orders removal of barriers outside buildings in Karachi
4 hours ago -
PFA launches crackdown, impose fine for selling expired drinks, food items
4 hours ago