[Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis. When bacteria attack the intestinal wall....]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel diseases.
• The exact cause of CD and UC is unknown, but a dysregulated immune response to intestinal stimuli is suspected.
• The role of the normal intestinal flora in the pathogenesis of these conditions is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the intestinal flora in the pathogenesis of CD and UC.
• To evaluate the therapeutic potential of probiotics, specifically E. coli Nissle 1917, in managing CD and UC.

Main Methods:

• Studies involving the administration of E. coli Nissle 1917 to patients with CD and UC.
• Clinical observation of disease course and relapse rates in patients receiving the probiotic.

Main Results:

• E. coli Nissle 1917 demonstrated a positive effect on the disease course in both UC and CD patients.
• The findings support the hypothesis that the normal intestinal flora is central to the pathogenesis of these diseases.

Conclusions:

• Probiotic therapy, using agents like E. coli Nissle 1917, represents a promising therapeutic alternative for CD and UC.
• Understanding the role of the gut microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis can lead to novel treatment strategies.