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Mar 2020
Bacteria findings raise hopes for new treatment for ulcerative colitis
Research suggesting ulcerative colitis may be linked to low levels of certain bacteria in the gut have raised hopes of developing a new treatment for the condition.
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term colon inflammation condition. It currently affects one in every 420 people in the UK and according to the NHS, it is believed to be an autoimmune disease. Sufferers develop ulcers in their colon, need to empty their bowels frequently, and have recurring bouts of diarrhoea with blood and pus in the faeces.
The condition can only be cured by removal of the colon.
Around 50 per cent of patients who have this surgery go on to have inflammation in the area of the small intestine that is reconstructed into a pouch to serve as a rectum.
Researchers now say that patients who have had this surgery have lower levels of certain acids in their faeces and fewer of the bacteria that produce them, than those who had the surgery for other reasons. They believe that the results shed light on why the latter have a reduced risk of inflammation in their pouch.
Dr Aida Habtezion, co-author of a new study undertaken at Stanford University, said the findings suggest a new approach to treating the condition could be developed, based on introducing microbes or the substances they produce.
She went on to say of the findings “I think it brings another mechanism, a natural way, in which we can reconstitute and hopefully treat our patients.”
Ulcerative colitis expert and consultant gastroenterologist at the University of Edinburgh Dr Gwo-tzer Ho, welcomed the study and clinical trial, saying “This study provides further clues about the roles of bacteria and bile acids, potentially in the development of ulcerative colitis.”
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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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