Journal of Pediatric Biochemistry 2015; 05(02): 060-064
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1564576
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Intestinal Microbiota

Andrew S. Day
1   Department of Paediatrics, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

17 May 2015

28 May 2015

Publication Date:
15 September 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Not surprisingly given the close proximity of the intestinal microflora to the intestinal mucosa, members of the intestinal flora are implicated in the development of chronic intestinal conditions known as the inflammatory bowel diseases. This group of conditions is principally composed of Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. While perturbations in the balance of the members of the intestinal microflora are well characterized, it remains unclear if this so-called dysbiosis is critical to the development and onset of the inflammatory bowel diseases. Other evidence indicates that specific organisms may trigger or initiate inflammation. The advent of new molecular tools has advanced our understanding, but here remain many important unanswered questions.