Review article: gut flora and inflammatory bowel disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis results from intricate host susceptibility, mucosal immunity, and intestinal microflora interactions.
• Understanding alterations in the endogenous gut flora of IBD patients is crucial.
• Investigating host genetic variations influencing responses to gut bacteria is of significant interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review modifications in gastrointestinal tract microbial ecosystems in IBD patients.
• To explore different strategies for analyzing these microbial changes.
• To discuss potential therapeutic interventions targeting the gut ecosystem.

Main Methods:

• Summarizing findings from studies employing 'candidate microorganism strategy'.
• Incorporating results from 'full description strategy' utilizing culture-independent techniques.
• Analyzing bacterial populations in various gastrointestinal regions (luminal, mucus, mucosal-associated).

Main Results:

• Documented modifications in luminal bacteria, mucus-associated bacteria, and mucosa-adherent bacteria in IBD.
• Advancements in culture-independent techniques have enhanced the comprehensive description of microbial ecosystems.
• Significant alterations in the gut microbial composition are observed in individuals with IBD.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbial ecosystem modifications are central to inflammatory bowel disease.
• Probiotics and prebiotics show promise for modifying the gut ecosystem.
• Targeting the gut microbiota offers potential for new IBD treatment strategies, especially for preventing relapse.