New Research Links Fungus to Crohn Disease

Interaction between a fungus and 2 bacteria has been linked to inflammation associated with Crohn disease, according to research.

To determine the specific bacterial and fungal cultures that are associated with Crohn disease, the researchers examined fecal samples from 9 families comprised of 20 patients with Crohn disease and 28 Crohn-free cohabitating first-degree relatives and from 21 Crohn-free individuals from 4 unrelated healthy families living in the same area as comparators.

After analyzing the samples, the researchers found that one fungal (Candida tropicalis) and 2 bacterial (Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli) species were significantly more common in those participants with Crohn disease than in healthy participants.

According to the researchers, the 3 microorganisms work together to produce a biofilm (E. coli cells fuse to the C. tropicalis and S. marcescens cells to form a bridge connecting the microbes) that can cause inflammation in the intestines associated with Crohn disease symptoms.

Further, levels of beneficial bacteria were found to be significantly lower in patients with Crohn disease, corroborating previous findings.

“These results provide insight into the roles of bacteria and fungi in Crohn disease and may lead to the development of novel treatment approaches and diagnostic assays,” the researchers concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Hoarau G, Mukherjee PK, Gower-Rousseau C, et al. Bacteriome and mycobiome interactions underscore microbial dysbiosis in familial Crohn’s disease [published online September 20, 2016]. mBio. doi:10.1128/mBio.01250-16.