title: The microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease and its modulation as a therapeutic manoeuvre.
abstract: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in incidence in both the developed and the developing world. Genetic, immunological and environmental factors are known to be involved. Genome-wide studies have examined the contribution played by host genetics in the development of IBD and have estimated that genetic factors are responsible for about 25 % of the disease risk. Having an IBD-associated genotype does not always lead to development of the disease phenotype, and hence it seems likely that environmental factors are key to triggering development of the disease in genetically susceptible individuals. The gut microbiota contains more cells than its human host, and mounting evidence attests to the importance of the microbiota in the development of several diseases, including IBD, metabolic syndrome and CVD. The present paper reviews the interplay between the microbiota and the mucosal immune system in health and in IBD; and discusses the evidence base for the use of therapeutic modulation of the microbiota to prevent and treat IBD.
authors.affiliation: IBD department,St Mark's Hospital,Watford Rd, Harrow, London HA1 3UJ,UK.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.affiliation: IBD department,St Mark's Hospital,Watford Rd, Harrow, London HA1 3UJ,UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hendy
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D064307:Microbiota; D010641:Phenotype; D056692:Prebiotics; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D056692:Prebiotics