Forms of colitis--a review of recent developments

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Colorectal Pathology

Background:

• Improved endoscopic techniques enhance visualization of the colon.
• Recent advancements facilitate the study of colonic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on newly recognized and poorly understood colitis types.
• To elucidate the etiology of various colonic inflammatory conditions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on colonic pathology.
• Synthesis of existing data on specific colitis entities.

Main Results:

• Several previously unrecognized forms of colitis have been described.
• The etiology of poorly understood colitis has been clarified.

Conclusions:

• Current understanding of antibiotic-associated colitis has been updated.
• Knowledge on indeterminate colitis, acute self-limited colitis, collagenous colitis, and food allergy colitis is presented.