Study: Antibiotics Used in Childhood Turn Immunity into Allergies

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have shown for the first time how killing microbes in a newborn’s gut with antibiotics leads to lifelong respiratory allergies.

In a study recently published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, a research team from the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) identified a series of events leading to allergies and asthma, indicating many new avenues to explore for potential prevention and treatment.

Lead author Dr Kelly McNaghy, a professor in the School of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Medical Genetics, said: “Our research finally shows how gut bacteria and antibiotics affect a newborn’s immune system, making them more susceptible to allergies when you see something. So your understanding completely changes.” “For chronic disease,” he said, adding: “This is a precisely regulated process that can have long-term effects on susceptibility to chronic disease in adulthood.”

Allergies are caused by the immune system overreacting to harmless substances, such as pollen or pet dander. They are a leading reason for emergency room visits for children.

The immune system protects the body from harmful invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. In the case of an allergy, the immune system misinterprets something harmless as an external threat and then triggers a response that causes symptoms such as sneezing, itching, or swelling.

The immune system is formed very early in life, as research over the past two decades has shown that microbes in an infant’s gut play a major role.

With this new understanding, patients can look forward to more effective, long-term solutions that address the root of the problem, paving the way for a future in which allergies can be more effectively managed or even prevented.