Bacteria linked to irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea by scientists

A team of researchers from the Swedish University of Gothenburg has discovered an important link between the genus of Brachyspira bacteria and irritable bowel syndrome, in particular with one of its forms that mainly causes diarrhea.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome is quite common and among the most common symptoms are abdominal pain and diarrhea as well as constipation, which can also occur in a crossover way.

Brachyspira bacteria

Brachyspy, the bacterium the researchers targeted, does not usually live directly in the human intestinal tract, but hides beneath the mucus layer that protects the surface of the intestine from fecal bacteria. It is so well hidden that the researchers did not limit themselves to analyzing fecal samples which are usually done to analyze intestinal bacteria and in this case it was not enough, but they had to analyze the bacterial proteins inside the mucus collected in the ‘intestine.
Unlike other bacteria that usually live in our intestines, brachyspia is in direct contact with the cells and covers their surface, as explained by Karolina Sjöberg Jabbar, first author of the study: “I was immensely surprised to find that the brachispia continued. to be present in an increasing number of IBS patients, but not in healthy people.

Analysis of samples from people with irritable bowel syndrome

The researchers analyzed tissue samples taken from the colon of 62 people with IBS and 31 people without IBS. 31% of IBS patients were shown to have intestinal brachycardia. The same bacteria were not found in any of the healthy subjects. Furthermore, the researchers found that the bacteria were more common in IBS patients characterized by diarrhea.

New possibilities for the treatment of diarrhea caused by IBS

“Our findings could open entirely new perspectives for the treatment and possibly even management of some patients with IBS, particularly those with diarrhea,” explains Magnus Simrén, professor of gastroenterology at the University of Gothenburg and consultant at the university hospital. Sahlgrenska.

A bacterium that only hides too well

The problem with brachispyra eradication is that it appears to take refuge in intestinal goblet cells, the ones that secrete the protective mucus of the intestine. It is an unprecedented way for bacteria to survive, even with antibiotics.
Meanwhile, this interesting study, which could prove to be very helpful in relieving the pain of people with IBS with diarrhea, has been published in the journal Gut.