The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) has discovered novel microbial signatures associated with inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They were able to transform such signatures into clinically applicable non-invasive tests for early diagnosis and timely intervention. This invention can effectively differentiate common chronic gut disorders and is expected to minimize the need for endoscopies.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing worldwide and has become a global emergency disease. IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), has been considered a problem in industrial-urbanized societies and is mainly attributed to a Westernized lifestyle and other associated environmental factors. The prevalence is rapidly rising, and new therapeutic choices are being marketed worldwide. The need for biological therapy is increasing, and healthcare systems struggle to afford such expensive treatments.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) shares common symptoms, such as recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea, with IBS, which is a common functional GI disorder. Delayed treatment in IBD can lead to chronic inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract, and severe cases may require the removal of a damaged intestine or the creation of a stoma.
The university used fecal samples from about 6,000 people from different regions and found about 20 types of bacteria associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Droplet digital PCR technology was used to test stool samples and determine whether a patient has IBD or a different gut disorder—which is revolutionary!
The results from the stool test are available in a week, allowing for earlier diagnosis. Otherwise, it can take up to one year for a patient with IBD to be diagnosed and the needed treatment postponed, which can lead to complications like bleeding and bowel cancer.
This novel non-invasive diagnostic test is a reliable tool for distinguishing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and is expected to be ready for clinical use in 2027. Models based on this test showed higher performance than fecal calprotectin in discriminating ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease from controls. The findings were published in Nature Medicine. Researchers said the technology can also assess the risk of bowel cancer among IBD patients.
