A team of South Korean researchers has discovered a mechanism by which antibiotics abuse leads to chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and atopy. 

The group, led by Korea University professor Kim Hee-nam and researcher Yi Hyo-jeong, said they were able to pinpoint how gut microbiota causes the “stringent response” for survival when exposed to antibiotics. 

During this response process, they identified an excessive increase in internal bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics, causing chronic diseases by disturbing the microbe balance in the gut. 

They said that particularly in infants, antibiotics overuse can lead to the development of  chronic diseases by adulthood via the mechanism. 

Their research was published in the journal Trends in Microbiology.