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Updated: Jan 8, 2026
Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation
Published on: July 27, 2022
In mouse and in vitro models, bowel preparation promotes pathogen colonization, translocation, and exacerbation of
Charlotte A Clayton1, Imogen Porter2, Brian D Deng1
1Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z3, Canada.
Abstract:
In the United States, an estimated 14 million colonoscopies are performed yearly, each requiring patients to undergo bowel preparation, a laxative cleansing of the intestine's luminal contents. Despite its widespread use, the effects of bowel preparation on gut physiology and susceptibility to pathogens remain poorly understood, particularly in individuals with compromised gut health. Using mouse and in vitro models, we find that bowel preparation with the laxative polyethylene glycol rapidly disrupts the gut, transiently increasing susceptibility to infection by Salmonella Typhimurium, including a non-motile mutant, and by gut pathobionts derived from ulcerative colitis microbiota. Bowel preparation also facilitates bacterial translocation to extraintestinal sites (mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen) and exacerbates inflammation in a chemically induced colitis model. Although these findings are preclinical, they suggest that bowel preparation may have underappreciated risks in vulnerable populations and warrant further clinical investigation.
Insights
Colonoscopies require bowel preparation, which can disrupt the gut and increase infection risk. This preclinical study suggests potential risks for vulnerable populations, warranting further clinical investigation.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Colonoscopies are common procedures necessitating bowel preparation.
- The impact of bowel preparation on gut health and pathogen susceptibility is not well understood.
- Vulnerable populations may face unique risks from bowel preparation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of bowel preparation on gut physiology.
- To assess changes in susceptibility to enteric pathogens after bowel preparation.
- To evaluate the impact of bowel preparation on gut inflammation and bacterial translocation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse and in vitro models to study bowel preparation effects.
- Administered polyethylene glycol (PEG) laxative for bowel cleansing.
- Inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium and ulcerative colitis-derived pathobionts.
- Assessed bacterial translocation and inflammation in induced colitis models.
Main Results:
- Bowel preparation rapidly disrupted the gut barrier.
- Transiently increased susceptibility to Salmonella Typhimurium and pathobionts.
- Facilitated bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.
- Exacerbated chemically induced colitis inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol poses risks beyond simple cleansing.
- Increased susceptibility to infection and bacterial translocation are significant findings.
- Preclinical data suggest underappreciated risks in vulnerable individuals.
- Further clinical research is recommended to validate these findings in humans.
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