How missing gut bacteria may drive post-infection irritable bowel syndrome
Official title: Microbiota based mechanisms of post-infection irritable bowel syndrome
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11144404 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 21, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $349,800 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK127998-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144404 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grover, Madhusudan — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Grover, Madhusudan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Proteolytic Activity-Guided Fecal Microbiota Transplant for PI-IBS
A pilot study will test a targeted fecal microbiota transplant to help adults with post-infection irritable bowel syndrome feel better and have fewer GI symptoms.
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A new way to use gut bacteria transplants for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
This research explores if a special type of fecal microbiota transplant, guided by specific gut enzyme activity, can safely and effectively improve symptoms for adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome that developed after an infection.
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Investigating how gut bacteria affect irritable bowel syndrome after infections
This study is looking at how certain gut bacteria might play a role in causing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after an intestinal infection, and it aims to find ways to improve gut health and ease IBS symptoms for people who have experienced this condition.
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Exploring gut bacteria and metabolites to find new types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut and their byproducts can help us understand the different types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and find better ways to treat it, so if you have IBS, your participation could help improve your care!
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Using targeted fecal microbiota transplantation to treat irritable bowel syndrome
This study is looking at whether a special treatment called fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who started having symptoms after an intestinal infection, by using healthy gut bacteria from carefully chosen donors to improve their gut health.
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Identifying new subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome using gut bacteria and metabolites.
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut and their byproducts can help us understand the different types of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and figure out which treatments might work best for you.
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.