How missing gut bacteria may drive post-infection irritable bowel syndrome
Microbiota based mechanisms of post-infection irritable bowel syndrome
This project aims to restore missing gut bacteria in adults with post-infection IBS to reduce harmful protein‑breaking enzymes that may cause gut damage and symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144404 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have post-infection IBS, this work looks at whether losing specific gut bacteria allows human enzymes called proteases to harm the gut and worsen symptoms. Researchers measure fecal proteolytic activity and gut microbiome changes in people, identify missing microbes such as Alistipes, and use germ-free mice given human microbiota to see how microbes control protease levels. They use metaproteomics to find which proteases come from the host and will test replacing candidate bacterial species to see if that lowers protease activity and protects the intestinal barrier. The team aims to map microbe–host interactions that normally suppress harmful enzymes so future treatments might replace missing microbes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 21 and older) who developed IBS symptoms after an intestinal infection and who show elevated fecal proteolytic activity would be the best candidates.
Not a fit: People whose IBS did not begin after an infection or who do not have increased fecal proteolytic activity may not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to microbiome-based therapies that lower harmful protease activity and reduce symptoms for people with post-infection IBS.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies and mouse experiments suggest healthy microbes can suppress host protease activity, but translating a specific bacterial replacement strategy to patients is still novel.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grover, Madhusudan — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Grover, Madhusudan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.