Bacteria associated with the development of celiac disease

Friday, 22 January 2010 17:09

Research news

Commensal bacteria (normal constituents of the intestinal flora) play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of immune system balance in the gut. 

Dysregulation of balance between toleration and immunity plays a role in the onset of inflammatory phenomena that can be observed in chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases and dietary intolerances.

A study published in “The American Journal of Gastroenterology” reported that  alterations  in the composition of   the proximal small intestinal microbiota of children with celiac disease may be at the origin of development of the disease. The authors demonstrated   an increase in the frequency of Gram-positive bacteria of the genera Clostridium, Actinomyces and Prevotella.

Their work is in agreement with a previous study² which revealed that a disturbance of the intestinal ecosystem (dysbiosis) might be a risk factor in development of celiac disease.

1. Ou, G. et al. Proximal small intestinal microbiota and identification of rod-shaped bacteria associated with childhood celiac disease. Am J Gastroenterol 104, 3058-67 (2009).

2. Collado, M. C., Donat, E., Ribes-Koninckx, C., Calabuig, M. & Sanz, Y. Specific duodenal and faecal bacterial groups associated with paediatric coeliac disease. J Clin Pathol 62, 264-9 (2009)