Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
05:41
Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model
Published on: April 6, 2022
Microbiota in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
Andreas Schwiertz1, Manuela Jacobi, Julia-Stefanie Frick
1Institute of Microecology, Herborn, Germany. andreas.schwiertz@mikrooek.de
The Journal of Pediatrics
|April 20, 2010
Summary
Children with Crohn's disease (CD) show altered gut bacteria, with lower levels of beneficial Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and bifidobacteria, and higher levels of Escherichia coli compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
Background:
- Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis.
- Alterations in gut microbial composition are implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Understanding these microbial changes in pediatric IBD is essential for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in gut microbiota composition between children with IBD and healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between gut microbiota and disease activity in pediatric IBD.
- To identify specific bacterial groups associated with active versus inactive disease states.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 69 children and adolescents with IBD and 25 healthy controls were recruited.
- Disease activity was assessed using validated pediatric indices for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
- Fecal microbiota composition was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction to quantify specific bacterial groups.
Main Results:
- Children with active and inactive Crohn's disease (CD) exhibited significantly lower counts of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and bifidobacteria.
- Patients with active CD showed increased levels of Escherichia coli compared to controls.
- While some decrease in bifidobacteria was noted in active IBD, significant changes were primarily observed in CD.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiota in pediatric CD is characterized by a depletion of F. prausnitzii and an overgrowth of E. coli.
- These specific microbial alterations may contribute to the disease activity in pediatric Crohn's disease.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the functional implications of these microbial shifts.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
01:18Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota
The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
01:27Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
01:27Microbiota of the Large Intestine
The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...