Gut microbiota strain richness is species specific and affects engraftment.

Despite the fundamental role of bacterial strain variation in gut microbiota function, the number of unique strains of a species that can stably colonize the human intestine is still unknown for almost all species. Here we determine the strain richness (SR) of common gut species using thousands of sequenced bacterial isolates with paired metagenomes. We show that SR varies across species, is transferable by faecal microbiota transplantation, and is uniquely low in the gut compared with soil and lake environments.

Variation in the metagenomic analysis of fecal microbiome composition calls for a standardized operating approach.

The reproducibility in microbiome studies is limited due to the lack of one gold-standard operating procedure. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of protocol variations on microbiome composition using metagenomic data sets from a single center. We assessed the variation in a data set consisted of 2,722 subjects, including 9 subcohorts harboring healthy subjects and patients with various disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Outcome and Gut Microbiota Composition in Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background & Aims: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can induce remission in patients with ulcerative colitis, yet its efficacy needs improvement. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the current literature on microbial factors affecting outcome, as well as a meta-analysis on some of the largest datasets regarding composition.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane were systematically searched through August 2024 for relevant studies.

The phageome of patients with ulcerative colitis treated with donor fecal microbiota reveals markers associated with disease remission.

Bacteriophages are influential within the human gut microbiota, yet they remain understudied relative to bacteria. This is a limitation of studies on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) where bacteriophages likely influence outcome. Here, using metagenomics, we profile phage populations - the phageome - in individuals recruited into two double-blind randomized trials of FMT in ulcerative colitis.

Role of social media in the presentation of disorders of gut-brain interaction: Review and recommendations.

As clinicians involved in the care of patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), we-and many colleagues-have the impression that social media are adversely shaping the nature, presentation, and ability to manage these disorders, especially at the severe end of the DGBI clinical spectrum. We turned to the research literature to see if these clinical impressions were corroborated but found it virtually nonexistent. Social media have rapidly become a ubiquitous, pervasive part of the lives of most people on the planet.

Probiotics: are they beneficial?

There are wide-ranging probiotic choices in Australasia. We reviewed the efficacy of probiotics for the management of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions in adults and assessed relevance to clinical practice. The benefits of probiotics were inconsistent, with a strong consensus reached for only a few of the indications.

Profiling the colonic mucosal response to fecal microbiota transplantation identifies a role for GBP5 in colitis in humans and mice.

Host molecular responses to fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in ulcerative colitis are not well understood. Here, we profile the human colonic mucosal transcriptome prior to and following FMT or placebo to identify molecules regulated during disease remission. FMT alters the transcriptome above the effect of placebo (n = 75 vs 3 genes, q < 0.

Vedolizumab and Ustekinumab Levels in Pregnant Women With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Infants Exposed In Utero.

Background & Aims: Vedolizumab and ustekinumab pharmacokinetics in pregnancy and the infant after in utero exposure remain incompletely defined. We aim to define the antenatal stability of ustekinumab and vedolizumab levels and the time at which infant drug levels become undetectable.

Methods: This multicenter prospective observational cohort study recruited pregnant or preconception women with inflammatory bowel disease receiving vedolizumab or ustekinumab.

Corrigendum: Poor prognostic factors of pharmacokinetic origin predict outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor-α.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.

Outcomes and Endpoints of Postoperative Recurrence in Crohn's Disease: Systematic Review and Consensus Conference.

Background: Outcomes after ileocolonic resection in Crohn's disease [CD] are heterogeneous, and a clear definition of postoperative recurrence remains to be determined. Our Endpoints Working Group of the International Organization for the study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IOIBD] aimed to standardise postoperative outcomes, to discuss which endpoints should be used for postoperative clinical trials, and to define those which could be used in trials or registries.

Methods: Based on a systematic review of the literature, recommendations and statements were drafted and sent to all IOIBD members for a first round of voting.

Intestinal Ultrasound and MRI for Monitoring Therapeutic Response in Luminal Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Cross-sectional imaging facilitates the assessment of transmural healing in patients with Crohn's disease. This systematic review addresses the utility of MRI and intestinal ultrasound (IUS) in the assessment of disease activity in response to drug therapy compared with endoscopy in patients with luminal Crohn's disease.

Methods: Database searches were undertaken using predefined terms.

Long-Term Safety Outcomes of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Real-World Data Over 8 Years From the Hong Kong FMT Registry.

Background And Aims: Prospective long-term real-world safety data after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) remain limited. We reported long-term outcomes of FMT from a population-based FMT registry in Hong Kong.

Methods: We recruited patients undergoing FMT for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and non-CDI indications from clinical trials, from June 2013 to April 2022 in Hong Kong.

Outcomes of a Comprehensive Specialist Inflammatory Bowel Disease Nursing Service.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is best managed by a multidisciplinary team within a dedicated IBD service. IBD nurses play an important role within this team. We aimed to evaluate the contribution of our comprehensive outpatient IBD nursing service on patient outcomes, quality of care, and healthcare costs.

Risk factors for malignancy and serious infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of malignancy and infection compared to the general population.

Aims: We aim to identify risk factors for malignancy or serious infection in our IBD cohort.

Methods: Patients with IBD from a single tertiary referral centre were included.

Clinical features and outcomes of adult idiopathic megarectum.

Objective: Idiopathic megarectum is characterized by abnormal, pronounced rectal dilatation in the absence of identifiable organic pathology. Idiopathic megarectum is uncommon and under-recognized. This study aims to describe the clinical features and management of idiopathic megarectum.