Authors: Erja Malinen, Ph.D., Teemu Rinttilä, M.Sc., Kajsa Kajander, M.Sc., Jaana Mättö, Ph.D., Anna Kassinen, M.Sc., Lotta Krogius, M.Sc., Maria Saarela, Ph.D., Riitta Korpela, Ph.D., and Airi Palva, Ph.D.

Objective: The gut microbiota may contribute to the onset and maintenance of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this study, the microbiotas of patients suffering from IBS were compared with a control group devoid of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

Methods: Fecal microbiota of patients (n = 27) fulfilling the Rome II criteria for IBS was compared with age- and gender-matched control subjects (n = 22). Fecal samples were obtained at 3 months intervals. Total bacterial DNA was analyzed by 20 quantitative real-time PCR assays covering approximately 300 bacterial species.

Conclusions: With these real-time PCR assays, quantitative alterations in the GI microbiota of IBS patients were found. Increasing microbial DNA sequence information will further allow designing of new real-time PCR assays for a more extensive analysis of intestinal microbes in IBS.

Study link: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.40312.x

• Analysis of the Fecal Microbiota of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients and Healthy Controls with Real-Time PCR
• A Review of the Role of the Gut Microflora in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Effects of Probiotics
• Alteration of Intestinal Microflora is Associated with Reduction in Abdominal Bloating and Pain in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Do Interventions which Reduce Colonic Bacterial Fermentation Improve Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?