Faecal microbiota transplantation for IBS: still a long way to go

Abstract

The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains unclear, and therefore currently available treatments are only modestly effective.1 The possibility that the gut microbiota might have a role in generating the symptoms of IBS has gained prominence, given that IBS is more common after a gastrointestinal infection.2 Furthermore, a systematic review of case-control studies suggested that the composition of the gut microbiota differs between patients with IBS and healthy controls.3 All studies found differences between cases and controls, although the nature of these differences was inconsistent, and therefore no definitive conclusion can be reached as to whether any species might be harmful or protective.