Intestinal inflammation and the microbiota: Beyond diversity

Abstract

The recent manuscript entitled “Relationship between clinical features and intestinal microbiota in Chinese patients with ulcerative colitis” reported a difference in the intestinal microbiota of patients with ulcerative colitis according to the severity of the colitis. The influence of the intestinal microbiota on the development and progress of gastrointestinal disorders is well established. Besides the diversity in the microbiome, the presence of virulence factors and toxins by commensal bacteria may affect an extensive variety of cellular processes, contributing to the induction of a proinflammatory environment.

Keywords: Inflammation; Microbiota; Toxins; Intestinal; Ulcerative; Colitis; Cancer

Core Tip: The manuscript entitled “Relationship between clinical features and intestinal microbiota in Chinese patients with ulcerative colitis” and previous investigations have identified alterations in the intestinal microbiome of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, and colorectal cancer. The microbiota composition impacts the development of inflammatory disorders. Nevertheless, investigations should focus on identifying alterations not only on the diversity of the microbiota but the presence of the toxin-producing bacteria. Further investigations should investigate alterations in the microbiota composition and the production of toxins by commensal bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, and Bacteroides fragilis.