Penicillin Allergy Gene Linkage

 

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/penicillin-allergies-immune-system-genetics

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/216798

Penicillin is the classic antibiotic, a frontline resistance to many bacterial infections. Unfortunately, penicillin is reportedly the cause of many allergic reactions. Researchers have found a genetic linkage to the penicillin allergy that is creating a higher risk of predisposition to this allergic effect. The gene associated with this allergy is a variation to a gene complex on an immune system gene. The gene complex that is affected is called the histocompatibility complex gene HLA-B. This gene complex was already known to have linkage with bad responses to other drugs, including some HIV medication and allergic reaction to gout medication. In order to identify this gene as the source, researchers looked over 600,000 peoples electronic health records and utilized several genetic tools to identify similarities in the sample. Ultimately, they found that a specific "hot spot" on chromosome 6 was a constant, and this region held a variation of the HLA-B gene identified as HLA-B*55:01. Comparing there findings to over 1 million European samples through the use of the genetic testing site, 23 and me, they found the same genetic link of the HLA-B gene complex. Researchers say there is still a lot more evidence to come to light to fully understand the genetic linkage to penicillin allergy, but this is a good start. 

How Cesarean Section Births Affect Allergies

Discussed in a recent CNN article and Medical News Today article is the idea of where allergies come from. An allergy is brought about by the body's reaction to an antigen. The body sees this antigen as a harmful invader instead of the harmless element it is. Allergens cause your body to produce Immunoglobulin E antibodies. These antibodies are responsible for identifying and destroying harmful invaders. However, in the process, they release histamine and other chemicals that create allergic reactions.

Sensitivity to the invaders is what brings on the allergic reaction. What is unknown is what causes  sensitivity. It is believed that this sensitivity develops even in the womb. It has been found that babies born by a Cesarean Section are 6 times more likely to be sensitive to allergies. Babies who are born via C-section have a different micro biome in their gastrointestinal tract. While in the womb, babies are sterile. As they pass through their mother's birth canal, they are exposed to many bacteria, and the body can learn the difference between the good and bad bacteria. However, through a C-section, the baby is only exposed to bacteria found in skin cells. From this, babies born through C-section are more susceptible to allergens.

Breastfeeding Can Help Prevent Allergies

As stated in this study, breastfeeding has the ability to help reduce the early symptoms of allergy. An allergy is a reaction of your immune system to something that does not bother most other people. Breastfeeding in the first 4 to 6 months of life can reduce the risk of atopic eczema and cow's milk protein allergy. Allergies are often a result of a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. These factors can include pollution and tobacco smoke. If allergies are detected sooner, there is a greater chance of them being treated or possibly eliminated. Allergies plague most people and any research done to help prevent them is definitely a positive thing.