Evidence Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 14, 2021; 27(18): 2054-2072
Published online May 14, 2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i18.2054
Role of microbial dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of esophageal mucosal disease: A paradigm shift from acid to bacteria?
Steve M D'Souza, Kevin Houston, Lauren Keenan, Byung Soo Yoo, Parth J Parekh, David A Johnson
Steve M D'Souza, Kevin Houston, Lauren Keenan, Byung Soo Yoo, Parth J Parekh, David A Johnson, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23502, United States
Author contributions: Johnson DA, Parekh PJ, D'Souza SM and Yoo BS contributed construction of project; all authors wrote and edited the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interests or financial disclosures relevant to this manuscript.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: David A Johnson, MD, MACG, FASGE, FACP, MACP, Doctor, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 885 Kempsville Rd, Suite 114, Norfolk, VA 23502, United States. dajevms@aol.com
Received: February 2, 2021
Peer-review started: February 2, 2021
First decision: February 27, 2021
Revised: March 6, 2021
Accepted: April 14, 2021
Article in press: April 14, 2021
Published online: May 14, 2021
Processing time: 96 Days and 20 Hours
Abstract

Genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, and initial speciation (e.g., relative abundance) of the commensal microbiome have revolutionized the way we think about the “human” body in health and disease. The interactions between the gut bacteria and the immune system of the host play a key role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases, including those impacting the esophagus. Although relatively stable, there are a number of factors that may disrupt the delicate balance between the luminal esophageal microbiome (EM) and the host. These changes are thought to be a product of age, diet, antibiotic and other medication use, oral hygiene, smoking, and/or expression of antibiotic products (bacteriocins) by other flora. These effects may lead to persistent dysbiosis which in turn increases the risk of local inflammation, systemic inflammation, and ultimately disease progression. Research has suggested that the etiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease-related esophagitis includes a cytokine-mediated inflammatory component and is, therefore, not merely the result of esophageal mucosal exposure to corrosives (i.e., acid). Emerging evidence also suggests that the EM plays a major role in the pathogenesis of disease by inciting an immunogenic response which ultimately propagates the inflammatory cascade. Here, we discuss the potential role for manipulating the EM as a therapeutic option for treating the root cause of various esophageal disease rather than just providing symptomatic relief (i.e., acid suppression).

Keywords: Microbiome; Gastroesophageal reflux disease; Probiotics; Prebiotics; Bacteriocins; Dysbiosis; Barrett’s esophagus; Esophageal cancer; Esophagitis; Eosinophilic esophagitis

Core Tip: The interactions between the gut bacteria and the immune system of the host play a key role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases, including those impacting the esophagus. This evidence-based review brings forward the emerging data on the microbial changes related to esophageal disease. Better understanding of these data will lead to mitigation strategies for intervention and innovation.