The Gut Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two principal forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The root causes of these chronic and acute immunological disorders are unclear, but intestinal microorganisms are known to play a key role in the initiation and maintenance of disease. However, at present, there is no clear evidence for a single transmissible agent being involved in IBD aetiology. Although marked alterations occur in faecal and mucosal bacterial communities in IBD, it is unclear whether they are responsible for causing disease, or are due to changes in the gut environment that result from inflammatory reactions and extensive tissue destruction. Despite the involvement of microorganisms in inflammatory processes, antibiotic therapy has generally been unsuccessful in IBD. However, recent studies involving the use of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics suggest that there is potential for controlling these diseases through manipulation of the composition of the gut microbiota, and direct interactions with the gut immune system.

Automated summary

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and intestinal microorganisms play a key role in the development and maintenance of these diseases. However, the specific causes of IBD are still unclear, and it is unknown whether a single transmissible agent is involved. Changes in the bacterial communities in the gut may be due to inflammatory reactions and tissue destruction, rather than causing the disease itself. Antibiotic therapy has generally been ineffective in treating IBD, but recent studies suggest that manipulating the gut microbiota and interacting with the gut immune system through probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics may hold potential in controlling these diseases.