|
Active infection theory
Some cases of IBS are caused by bacterial or viral loads
There is research to support IBS being caused
by an as-yet undiscovered active infection. Most recently, a
study has found that the antibiotic Rifaximin provides sustained
relief for IBS patients.[51]
While some researchers see this as evidence
that IBS is related to an undiscovered agent, others believe IBS
patients suffer from overgrowth of intestinal flora and the
antibiotics are effective in reducing the overgrowth (known as
small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).[52]
Other researchers have focused on an
unrecognized protozoal infection as a cause of IBS[4] as certain
protozoal infections occur more frequently in IBS
patients.[53][54] Two of the protozoa investigated have a high
prevalence in industrialized countries and infect the bowel, but
little is known about them as they are recently emerged
pathogens.
|
