Toxic bacteria linked to ulcerative colitis
A toxin from bacteria in dirty water may trigger ulcerative colitis, a type of IBD.
Why it matters
- A toxin produced by bacteria found in dirty water may trigger ulcerative colitis.
- The discovery could lead to new treatments for this inflammatory bowel disease.
- Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation of the colon and rectum, with symptoms that come and go.
By the numbers
- 72% of people with ulcerative colitis had Aeromonas bacteria in their stool samples.
- Only 12% of people without the condition had these bacteria.
- The studies involved 79 people with ulcerative colitis and 480 without it.
The big picture
- The bacteria and toxin might not be the sole cause but could contribute to colitis development.
- Other environmental and genetic factors are likely involved.
What they're saying
- An expert notes the strong case for the toxin disrupting gut immunity but suggests other bacteria may also play a role.
Caveats
- The study doesn't prove causality, and further research is needed.
- Not everyone with ulcerative colitis has these bacteria, and not everyone with these bacteria develops colitis.
What’s next
- Wider studies to confirm the link between the bacteria and ulcerative colitis.
- Potential development of treatments targeting the toxin or bacteria.