Current research suggests that latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, recent research indicates, may exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The related report by Onyeagocha et al, "Latent cytomegalovirus infection exacerbates experimental colitis," appears in the November 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.
CMV infects between 50% and 80% of adults in the United States. Most people who are infected have no symptoms, and the virus remains hidden but inactive in the body for the rest of the person's life unless activated by suppression of the immune system.
New Findings May Lead To Improved Therapies For Inflammatory Bowel Disease
An international team of researchers has discovered an enzyme that plays a crucial role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
An international team of researchers has discovered an enzyme that plays a crucial role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Researchers led by Dr. Andrew Gewirtz at Emory University in Atlanta, GA therefore examined IBD development in mice with latent CMV infection. They found that while latent CMV infection did not induce IBD, it exacerbated the severity of intestinal inflammation if colitis were already present. In addition, CMV infection resulted in increased levels of intestinal white blood cells and heightened immune responses to normally harmless bacteria found in the intestine; which are associated with IBD severity. Therefore, modulation of mucosal immunity by latent CMV infection may contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD.
Onyeagocha et al suggest that "latent infection by CMV, and perhaps other common viruses, may modulate mucosal immunity and, consequently, alter one's susceptibility to developing severe acute colitis in response to various challenges and, consequently, may predispose to developing IBD." In future studies, Dr. Gewirtz and colleagues plan to use "retrospective serologic analysis [to] confirm the notion that latent CMV infection increases risk of developing IBD. [Although vaccines to CMV are no yet available, these results suggest that] it may be advisable to consider vaccinating healthy young populations against this virus even in the absence of any risk factors that such individuals are ever likely to be in an immunocompromised state."
Kids With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Have High Folate Levels
Researchers from University of California, San Francisco and UC Berkeley have found that children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have higher concentrations of folate in their blood.
Researchers from University of California, San Francisco and UC Berkeley have found that children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have higher concentrations of folate in their blood.
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease may be Treated by Intestinal Bacteria
Researchers from NYU Langone Medical Centre have discovered that specific types of bacteria in the intestine trigger the production of pro-inflammatory immune cells, a finding that
Researchers from NYU Langone Medical Centre have discovered that specific types of bacteria in the intestine trigger the production of pro-inflammatory immune cells, a finding that
Scientists Identify Gene Behind Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Kids
In a study of inflammatory bowel diseases in children like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, scientists have identified a gene, called tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily
In a study of inflammatory bowel diseases in children like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, scientists have identified a gene, called tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily
