Gut Microbiota: Defeating Intractable Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are intractable, but research is under way on treatments using gut bacteria. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation in the intestinal mucosa and ulcers. A Japanese doctor treats patients by combining antibiotics with fecal transplants using stool from siblings, achieving outstanding results. A clinical trial using gut microbiota is also under way for multiple sclerosis, which affects the central nervous system. A patient who needed a cane prior to the trial can now jog.