Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 15, 2025
Injections of Lipopolysaccharide into Mice to Mimic Entrance of Microbial-derived Products After Intestinal Barrier Breach
Published on: May 2, 2018
Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease and its Relationship with the Microbiome
Rachel S Fitzgerald1,2, Ian R Sanderson3, Marcus J Claesson4,5
1School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Insights
Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves gut microbiome alterations, with reduced diversity and altered bacterial composition observed in children with IBD. These changes may extend to other biomes, offering insights into disease development.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a growing global health concern.
- While genetics and environment are implicated, the role of the gut microbiome in IBD pathogenesis is increasingly recognized.
- The pediatric IBD microbiome exhibits distinct differences compared to healthy children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on the role of the microbiome and other biomes in pediatric IBD.
- To investigate microbiome alterations associated with IBD, disease states, and therapeutic interventions.
- To explore potential connections between biome changes and the etiology of pediatric IBD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating the microbiome in pediatric IBD patients.
- Analysis of research focusing on gut bacteria composition and diversity in relation to IBD.
- Examination of studies exploring other biomes (virome, mycobiome) in pediatric IBD.
Main Results:
- The pediatric IBD microbiome shows significantly decreased diversity and altered bacterial composition, including a reduction in Firmicutes, compared to healthy controls.
- Microbiome changes are associated with various IBD treatments and disease severity.
- Alterations in diversity and composition may also affect the virome and mycobiome in pediatric IBD.
Conclusions:
- The pediatric gut microbiome is significantly altered in children with IBD.
- Understanding biome differences in pediatric IBD is crucial for advancing knowledge of disease etiology.
- Further research into the microbiome and other biomes holds promise for improving IBD management and treatment strategies.
Abstract:
Paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the digestive tract, comprising of Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and, where classification is undetermined, inflammatory bowel disease unclassified (IBDU). Paediatric IBD incidence is increasing globally, with prevalence highest in the developed world. Though no specific causative agent has been identified for paediatric IBD, it is believed that a number of factors may contribute to the development of the disease, including genetics and the environment. Another potential component in the development of IBD is the microbiota in the digestive tract, particularly the gut. While the exact role that the microbiome plays in IBD is unclear, many studies acknowledge the complex relationship between the gut bacteria and pathogenesis of IBD. In this review, we look at the increasing number of studies investigating the role the microbiome and other biomes play in paediatric patients with IBD, particularly changes associated with IBD, varying disease states, and therapeutics. The paediatric IBD microbiome is significantly different to that of healthy children, with decreased diversity and differences in bacterial composition (such as a decrease in Firmicutes). Changes in the microbiome relating to various treatments of IBD and disease severity have also been observed in multiple studies. Changes in diversity and composition may also extend to other biomes in paediatric IBD, such as the virome and the mycobiome. Research into biome differences in IBD paediatric patients may help progress our understanding of the aetiology of the disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:30Inflammatory 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...
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...