9.2 Microbia-based therapy
For diseases whose pathogenesis involves dysregulation of the intestinal
flora and disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier, promising novel
therapies are being developed. FMT is a good therapeutic strategy for
treating Clostridioides difficile infection 125.
However, its efficacy is limited by the host inflammatory immune status126. Side effects such as fever and a temporary
increase in C-reactive protein levels after FMT deserves attention67. Defined bacterial consortia were selected based on
their desired biological functions. Atarashi et al. isolated Treg
cell-inducing bacterial strains 67. This strain
alleviates colitis and allergic diarrhea in mice. Using defined
bacterial consortia brings hope for tailoring therapeutic products for
human immune disorders. The appointed combinations of microbes have more
predictable responses, more targeted efficacy, and fewer adverse
responses, such as infection by pathogens.