Frances and Don W. Powell, MD, Lecture: The Small Intestinal Microbiota as Modulator of Functional and Inflammatory GI Disease

Society: AGA

The role of the intestinal microbiota in health and disease is well recognized. However, most of the studies investigating microbial alterations associated to gastrointestinal disorders study fecal communities. Recent studies have shown biogeographic microbial variations along the small intestine with important implications in food metabolism, immune and functional homeostasis, that impact small intestinal conditions. Our understanding of this unique microbial ecosystem and its impact in small intestinal disorders is growing thanks to the development of new non-invasive methodologies, technical improvements in low biomass sequencing approaches and the developments of relevant pre-clinical models. The session will discuss controversies regarding diagnosis and treatment of SIBO, and mechanistic insight in diet-microbe interactions that open new targets for therapies, in celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome.