New study links gut fungi to intestinal inflammation in Crohn's disease patients

Date:
January 10, 2022
Source:
Case Western Reserve University
Summary:
Results of a new study represent a step toward improving our
understanding of Crohn's disease and the factors that cause its
intestinal inflammation.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Results of a new study by researchers at Case Western Reserve University represent a step toward improving our understanding of Crohn's disease
and the factors that cause its intestinal inflammation.


========================================================================== Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can lead
to chronic inflammation of the entire digestive tract. Symptoms include diarrhea, pain and cramping, fatigue, weight loss and more. There is
no cure for Crohn's disease, but patients can alleviate symptoms with
current treatment options.

New treatment options for Crohn's disease patients may be on the horizon
thanks to the research linking a common fungal pathogen to inflammatory
bowel disease.

The study recently appeared in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology
and Hepatology.

This new research from the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine
focuses on the role of the fungus, Candida tropicalis (C. tropicalis),
in triggering chronic inflammation within the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of fungus and bacteria found within
the digestive tract.

Researchers introduced the fungus into animal models and induced
colitis (inflammation of only the large intestine) through a chemical
compound. The models infected with C. tropicalis showed severe
inflammation and significant imbalance of the gut microbiome with changes
in bacteria levels.

Researchers say the findings show that this imbalance of fungi and
bacteria can create a predisposition to inflammatory bowel disease. Past studies have shown that people with Crohn's disease have higher levels
of C. tropicalis when compared to healthy individuals.

Understanding the impact of C. tropicalis on a person's health will play
a role in developing treatments for Crohn's disease.

"Our findings provide a scientific rationale for eliminating C. tropicalis fungal infection of the gut," said Fabio Cominelli, professor of medicine
and pathology and associate dean for program development at the Case
Western Reserve School of Medicine. "The next step in our research is
to study other fungal organisms within the gut and then antifungal
therapies in patients with this devastating condition. Remission
is very difficult to obtain in Crohn's disease patients." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Case_Western_Reserve_University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Luca Di Martino, Carlo De Salvo, Kristine-Ann Buela, Christopher
Hager,
Mahmoud Ghannoum, Abdullah Osme, Ludovica Butto`, Giorgos Bamias,
Theresa T. Pizarro, Fabio Cominelli. Candida tropicalis Infection
Modulates the Gut Microbiome and Confers Enhanced Susceptibility
to Colitis in Mice.

Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2021;
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.11.008 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220110145252.htm
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