Intestinal dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel disease

Gut Microbes. 2011 Jul-Aug;2(4):211-6. doi: 10.4161/gmic.2.4.17863. Epub 2011 Jul 1.

Abstract

The worldwide incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. Abundant literature has suggested that an imbalance between harmful and protective bacteria, or dysbiosis, of the intestine is largely responsible for the rising incidence of IBD. In this review, data supporting dysbiosis as a cause of IBD are presented. A comparison of the number of scientific publications in the US versus Europe on intestinal dysbiosis and microbiota revealed the US scientific community has a lower level of interest in studying dysbiosis and microbiota compared the research community in Europe. The rising trend of antibiotic use in the US provides further evidence of the lack of concern for the effect of dysbiosis on human health. Further research to understand the causal relationship between dysbiosis and IBD are needed to better guide clinical practice in using probiotics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / drug therapy
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / epidemiology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / microbiology*
  • Intestines / drug effects
  • Intestines / microbiology*
  • Metagenome / drug effects
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents