Intest Res.  2014 Jul;12(3):178-183. 10.5217/ir.2014.12.3.178.

Current Status and Prospects of Intestinal Microbiome Studies

• Han DS

• KMID: 2174376
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2014.12.3.178

Abstract

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Asia has witnessed a rapid increase within a few decades. The genetic susceptibility and epidemiologic backgrounds in the Asian population have been found to be different from that of Western populations. There is an extensive crosstalk between gut microbiota and human hosts, with evidence of reciprocal interactions. It is well known that gut microbiota can affect the host immune system and in turn, host genetic backgrounds can affect gut microbiota reciprocally. Evidences have implicated gut microbes in the development of IBD, but no causative microorganisms have been identified. Recent advances in sequencing technology and computational analysis have now made identification of complex gut microbiomes accessible. Further research targeting gut microbiota could help in identifying biomarkers to predict clinical response, and therapeutic modalities that might affect their resilience.

Keyword

Inflammatory bowel disease; Microbiota; Host microbial interaction

MeSH Terms

Asia
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Biomarkers
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Humans
Immune System
Incidence
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Microbiota*
Prevalence