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Review: gut sterilization in inflammatory bowel disease.
1Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Reducing gut bacteria may treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but sustained reduction is difficult. Further controlled studies are needed to confirm if this approach can initiate remission in colonic IBD.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic gut inflammation.
- Reducing the gut's bacterial flora is a potential therapeutic strategy for IBD, especially colonic disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the theoretical benefit of substantial gut bacterial reduction for treating inflammatory bowel disease.
- To assess the feasibility and potential of this approach for inducing remission.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing data on gut flora reduction and IBD treatment.
- Analysis of anecdotal evidence supporting the use of bacterial reduction for remission induction.
Main Results:
- A substantial reduction in gut bacterial flora is theoretically attractive for treating IBD.
- Practical challenges exist in achieving sustained reductions in colonic bacterial counts.
Conclusions:
- The role of gut bacterial reduction in initiating remission for IBD requires further investigation.
- Current supporting data are anecdotal, highlighting the need for controlled studies.