Published online Aug 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9665
Revised: April 6, 2014
Accepted: April 30, 2014
Published online: August 7, 2014
Processing time: 311 Days and 14.4 Hours
Core tip: This is a systemic review assessing the relationship between the microbiota that inhabit the ileal-anal pouch following restorative proctocolectomy in ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis patients and the inflammatory response that can occur. A meta-analysis was not attempted in view of the highly heterogeneous microbiota composition and the different detection methods utilized. Although no specific bacterial species, genus, or family has as yet been identified as pathogenic, there is evidence that dysbiosis and reduced bacterial diversity of the microbiota found in ulcerative colitis patients who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy may, in genetically predisposed subjects, lead to aberrant mucosal immune regulation triggering an inflammatory process.