Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Gut logoLink to Gut
. 2001 Jan;48(1):132–135. doi: 10.1136/gut.48.1.132

Bacteria as the cause of ulcerative colitis

M CAMPIERI 1, P GIONCHETTI 1
PMCID: PMC1728175  PMID: 11115835

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (120.6 KB).

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Azad Khan A. K., Piris J., Truelove S. C. An experiment to determine the active therapeutic moiety of sulphasalazine. Lancet. 1977 Oct 29;2(8044):892–895. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(77)90831-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bamba T., Matsuda H., Endo M., Fujiyama Y. The pathogenic role of Bacteroides vulgatus in patients with ulcerative colitis. J Gastroenterol. 1995 Nov;30 (Suppl 8):45–47. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Burke D. A., Axon A. T. Adhesive Escherichia coli in inflammatory bowel disease and infective diarrhoea. BMJ. 1988 Jul 9;297(6641):102–104. doi: 10.1136/bmj.297.6641.102. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Burke D. A., Axon A. T., Clayden S. A., Dixon M. F., Johnston D., Lacey R. W. The efficacy of tobramycin in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1990 Apr;4(2):123–129. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.1990.tb00456.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Burke D. A., Axon A. T. Ulcerative colitis and Escherichia coli with adhesive properties. J Clin Pathol. 1987 Jul;40(7):782–786. doi: 10.1136/jcp.40.7.782. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Campieri M., Gionchetti P. Probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: new insight to pathogenesis or a possible therapeutic alternative? Gastroenterology. 1999 May;116(5):1246–1249. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(99)70029-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Chapman R. W., Selby W. S., Jewell D. P. Controlled trial of intravenous metronidazole as an adjunct to corticosteroids in severe ulcerative colitis. Gut. 1986 Oct;27(10):1210–1212. doi: 10.1136/gut.27.10.1210. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Cummings J. H. Short chain fatty acids in the human colon. Gut. 1981 Sep;22(9):763–779. doi: 10.1136/gut.22.9.763. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Darfeuille-Michaud A., Neut C., Barnich N., Lederman E., Di Martino P., Desreumaux P., Gambiez L., Joly B., Cortot A., Colombel J. F. Presence of adherent Escherichia coli strains in ileal mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease. Gastroenterology. 1998 Dec;115(6):1405–1413. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(98)70019-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Dickinson R. J., O'Connor H. J., Pinder I., Hamilton I., Johnston D., Axon A. T. Double blind controlled trial of oral vancomycin as adjunctive treatment in acute exacerbations of idiopathic colitis. Gut. 1985 Dec;26(12):1380–1384. doi: 10.1136/gut.26.12.1380. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Duchmann R., Kaiser I., Hermann E., Mayet W., Ewe K., Meyer zum Büschenfelde K. H. Tolerance exists towards resident intestinal flora but is broken in active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Clin Exp Immunol. 1995 Dec;102(3):448–455. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1995.tb03836.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Duchmann R., May E., Heike M., Knolle P., Neurath M., Meyer zum Büschenfelde K. H. T cell specificity and cross reactivity towards enterobacteria, bacteroides, bifidobacterium, and antigens from resident intestinal flora in humans. Gut. 1999 Jun;44(6):812–818. doi: 10.1136/gut.44.6.812. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Duchmann R., Neurath M. F., Meyer zum Büschenfelde K. H. Responses to self and non-self intestinal microflora in health and inflammatory bowel disease. Res Immunol. 1997 Oct-Dec;148(8-9):589–594. doi: 10.1016/s0923-2494(98)80154-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Duchmann R., Schmitt E., Knolle P., Meyer zum Büschenfelde K. H., Neurath M. Tolerance towards resident intestinal flora in mice is abrogated in experimental colitis and restored by treatment with interleukin-10 or antibodies to interleukin-12. Eur J Immunol. 1996 Apr;26(4):934–938. doi: 10.1002/eji.1830260432. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Ehrhardt R. O., Lúdvíksson B. R., Gray B., Neurath M., Strober W. Induction and prevention of colonic inflammation in IL-2-deficient mice. J Immunol. 1997 Jan 15;158(2):566–573. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Fabia R., Ar'Rajab A., Johansson M. L., Andersson R., Willén R., Jeppsson B., Molin G., Bengmark S. Impairment of bacterial flora in human ulcerative colitis and experimental colitis in the rat. Digestion. 1993;54(4):248–255. doi: 10.1159/000201045. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Fabia R., Ar'Rajab A., Johansson M. L., Willén R., Andersson R., Molin G., Bengmark S. The effect of exogenous administration of Lactobacillus reuteri R2LC and oat fiber on acetic acid-induced colitis in the rat. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1993 Feb;28(2):155–162. doi: 10.3109/00365529309096063. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Garside P., Mowat A. M., Khoruts A. Oral tolerance in disease. Gut. 1999 Jan;44(1):137–142. doi: 10.1136/gut.44.1.137. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Gionchetti P., Rizzello F., Ferrieri A., Venturi A., Brignola C., Ferretti M., Peruzzo S., Miglioli M., Campieri M. Rifaximin in patients with moderate or severe ulcerative colitis refractory to steroid-treatment: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Dig Dis Sci. 1999 Jun;44(6):1220–1221. doi: 10.1023/a:1026648812439. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Hollander D. Permeability in Crohn's disease: altered barrier functions in healthy relatives? Gastroenterology. 1993 Jun;104(6):1848–1851. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(93)90668-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Hunt R. H., Lam S. K. Helicobacter pylori: from art to a science. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1998 Jan;13(1):21–28. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1998.tb00540.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Inobe J., Slavin A. J., Komagata Y., Chen Y., Liu L., Weiner H. L. IL-4 is a differentiation factor for transforming growth factor-beta secreting Th3 cells and oral administration of IL-4 enhances oral tolerance in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Eur J Immunol. 1998 Sep;28(9):2780–2790. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1521-4141(199809)28:09<2780::AID-IMMU2780>3.0.CO;2-J. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Kallinowski F., Wassmer A., Hofmann M. A., Harmsen D., Heesemann J., Karch H., Herfarth C., Buhr H. J. Prevalence of enteropathogenic bacteria in surgically treated chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Hepatogastroenterology. 1998 Sep-Oct;45(23):1552–1558. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Kruis W., Schütz E., Fric P., Fixa B., Judmaier G., Stolte M. Double-blind comparison of an oral Escherichia coli preparation and mesalazine in maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1997 Oct;11(5):853–858. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1997.00225.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Kühn R., Löhler J., Rennick D., Rajewsky K., Müller W. Interleukin-10-deficient mice develop chronic enterocolitis. Cell. 1993 Oct 22;75(2):263–274. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(93)80068-p. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Lebman D. A., Edmiston J. S. The role of TGF-beta in growth, differentiation, and maturation of B lymphocytes. Microbes Infect. 1999 Dec;1(15):1297–1304. doi: 10.1016/s1286-4579(99)00254-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Mack D. R., Michail S., Wei S., McDougall L., Hollingsworth M. A. Probiotics inhibit enteropathogenic E. coli adherence in vitro by inducing intestinal mucin gene expression. Am J Physiol. 1999 Apr;276(4 Pt 1):G941–G950. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1999.276.4.G941. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Macpherson A., Khoo U. Y., Forgacs I., Philpott-Howard J., Bjarnason I. Mucosal antibodies in inflammatory bowel disease are directed against intestinal bacteria. Gut. 1996 Mar;38(3):365–375. doi: 10.1136/gut.38.3.365. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Madsen K. L., Doyle J. S., Jewell L. D., Tavernini M. M., Fedorak R. N. Lactobacillus species prevents colitis in interleukin 10 gene-deficient mice. Gastroenterology. 1999 May;116(5):1107–1114. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(99)70013-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Malin M., Suomalainen H., Saxelin M., Isolauri E. Promotion of IgA immune response in patients with Crohn's disease by oral bacteriotherapy with Lactobacillus GG. Ann Nutr Metab. 1996;40(3):137–145. doi: 10.1159/000177907. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Mantzaris G. J., Archavlis E., Christoforidis P., Kourtessas D., Amberiadis P., Florakis N., Petraki K., Spiliadi C., Triantafyllou G. A prospective randomized controlled trial of oral ciprofloxacin in acute ulcerative colitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 1997 Mar;92(3):454–456. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Mantzaris G. J., Hatzis A., Kontogiannis P., Triadaphyllou G. Intravenous tobramycin and metronidazole as an adjunct to corticosteroids in acute, severe ulcerative colitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 1994 Jan;89(1):43–46. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Mao Y., Nobaek S., Kasravi B., Adawi D., Stenram U., Molin G., Jeppsson B. The effects of Lactobacillus strains and oat fiber on methotrexate-induced enterocolitis in rats. Gastroenterology. 1996 Aug;111(2):334–344. doi: 10.1053/gast.1996.v111.pm8690198. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Marcus R., Watt J. Ulcerative disease of the colon in laboratory animals induced by pepsin inhibitors. Gastroenterology. 1974 Sep;67(3):473–483. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Nataro J. P., Kaper J. B. Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1998 Jan;11(1):142–201. doi: 10.1128/cmr.11.1.142. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Onderdonk A. B., Bronson R., Cisneros R. Comparison of Bacteroides vulgatus strains in the enhancement of experimental ulcerative colitis. Infect Immun. 1987 Mar;55(3):835–836. doi: 10.1128/iai.55.3.835-836.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Pitcher M. C., Cummings J. H. Hydrogen sulphide: a bacterial toxin in ulcerative colitis? Gut. 1996 Jul;39(1):1–4. doi: 10.1136/gut.39.1.1. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Present D. H. Ciprofloxacin as a treatment for ulcerative colitis-not yet. Gastroenterology. 1998 Nov;115(5):1289–1291. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(98)70104-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Rath H. C., Ikeda J. S., Linde H. J., Schölmerich J., Wilson K. H., Sartor R. B. Varying cecal bacterial loads influences colitis and gastritis in HLA-B27 transgenic rats. Gastroenterology. 1999 Feb;116(2):310–319. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(99)70127-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Rembacken B. J., Snelling A. M., Hawkey P. M., Chalmers D. M., Axon A. T. Non-pathogenic Escherichia coli versus mesalazine for the treatment of ulcerative colitis: a randomised trial. Lancet. 1999 Aug 21;354(9179):635–639. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(98)06343-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Rhodes J. M. Unifying hypothesis for inflammatory bowel disease and associated colon cancer: sticking the pieces together with sugar. Lancet. 1996 Jan 6;347(8993):40–44. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(96)91563-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Roediger W. E. The colonic epithelium in ulcerative colitis: an energy-deficiency disease? Lancet. 1980 Oct 4;2(8197):712–715. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(80)91934-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Sanderson J. D., Moss M. T., Tizard M. L., Hermon-Taylor J. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis DNA in Crohn's disease tissue. Gut. 1992 Jul;33(7):890–896. doi: 10.1136/gut.33.7.890. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Satsangi J., Jewell D. P., Rosenberg W. M., Bell J. I. Genetics of inflammatory bowel disease. Gut. 1994 May;35(5):696–700. doi: 10.1136/gut.35.5.696. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Schultsz C., Moussa M., van Ketel R., Tytgat G. N., Dankert J. Frequency of pathogenic and enteroadherent Escherichia coli in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and controls. J Clin Pathol. 1997 Jul;50(7):573–579. doi: 10.1136/jcp.50.7.573. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Schultsz C., Van Den Berg F. M., Ten Kate F. W., Tytgat G. N., Dankert J. The intestinal mucus layer from patients with inflammatory bowel disease harbors high numbers of bacteria compared with controls. Gastroenterology. 1999 Nov;117(5):1089–1097. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(99)70393-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Simon G. L., Gorbach S. L. Intestinal flora in health and disease. Gastroenterology. 1984 Jan;86(1):174–193. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Sutherland L. R., May G. R., Shaffer E. A. Sulfasalazine revisited: a meta-analysis of 5-aminosalicylic acid in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Ann Intern Med. 1993 Apr 1;118(7):540–549. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-118-7-199304010-00009. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Truelove S. C., Jewell D. P. Intensive intravenous regimen for severe attacks of ulcerative colitis. Lancet. 1974 Jun 1;1(7866):1067–1070. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)90552-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Turunen U. M., Färkkilä M. A., Hakala K., Seppälä K., Sivonen A., Ogren M., Vuoristo M., Valtonen V. V., Miettinen T. A. Long-term treatment of ulcerative colitis with ciprofloxacin: a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Gastroenterology. 1998 Nov;115(5):1072–1078. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(98)70076-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Venturi A., Gionchetti P., Rizzello F., Johansson R., Zucconi E., Brigidi P., Matteuzzi D., Campieri M. Impact on the composition of the faecal flora by a new probiotic preparation: preliminary data on maintenance treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999 Aug;13(8):1103–1108. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1999.00560.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Walmsley R. S., Anthony A., Sim R., Pounder R. E., Wakefield A. J. Absence of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Klebsiella pneumoniae antigens within inflammatory bowel disease tissues. J Clin Pathol. 1998 Sep;51(9):657–661. doi: 10.1136/jcp.51.9.657. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Weiner H. L., van Rees E. P. Mucosal tolerance. Immunol Lett. 1999 Jun 15;69(1):3–4. doi: 10.1016/s0165-2478(99)00092-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. von Wulffen H., Rüssmann H., Karch H., Meyer T., Bitzan M., Kohrt T. C., Aleksic S. Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O2:H5 isolated from patients with ulcerative colitis. Lancet. 1989 Jun 24;1(8652):1449–1450. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(89)90151-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Gut are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES