Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition  2013;16(1):17-21

doi:10.5223/pghn.2013.16.1.17

Gut Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Jung Ok SHIM 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Microbiota; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Child

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

The gut mucosal barrier plays an important role in maintaining a delicate immune homeostasis. The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered to involve a defective mucosal immunity along with a genetic predisposition. Recent views have suggested an excessive response to components of the gut microbiota in IBD. A condition of "dysbiosis", with alterations of the gut microbial composition, has been observed in patients with IBD. In this article, the author review recent studies of gut microbiota in IBD, particularly the importance of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of pediatric IBD.