Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
Published on: January 5, 2017
Antibiotics and probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: when to use them?
Bincy Abraham1, Eamonn M M Quigley1
1Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Houston Methodist, Houston, Texas, USA.
Abstract:
Antibiotics and probiotics are often used as adjunctive therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. However, data are limited and randomised controlled trials are too inconsistent to provide generalised recommendations for their use in all patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Antibiotics are best used in the management of infectious complications and fistulas in Crohn's disease and, perhaps, in reducing the intensity of inflammation in luminal disease. Ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and rifaximin have been most widely used and studied. On the other hand, there appears to be a limited role for antibiotics in ulcerative colitis (UC). Probiotics are most effective in pouchitis, and may have a role in the initial therapy and maintenance of remission in mild UC; the probiotic cocktail VSL#3 has been the most widely studied. There is scant evidence of efficacy for probiotics in Crohn's disease.
More Related Videos
08:34Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation
Published on: July 27, 2022
08:24Injections of Lipopolysaccharide into Mice to Mimic Entrance of Microbial-derived Products After Intestinal Barrier Breach
Published on: May 2, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF