Antibiotics linked to rise in asthma cases

Antibiotics may be responsible for surging rates of asthma, it was claimed today.

American scientists believe the way the drugs interfere with gut microbes affects the lungs' immune system.

Dr Gary Huffnagle, from the University of Michigan Medical School, said: "Antibiotics knock out bacteria in the gut, allowing fungi to take over temporarily until the bacteria grow back after the antibiotics are stopped.

"Research indicates that altering intestinal microflora this way can lead to changes in the immune system, which may produce symptoms elsewhere in the body."