Inflammatory Bowel Disease Crossroads Of Microbes, Epithelium And Immune Systems

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of idiopathic diseases of the intestine characterized by chronic inflammation of the bowel with periods of exacerbation and remission. The two major categories of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In their classical forms, they differ both clinically and histologically but it is still uncertain whether they are distinct diseases. Although the exact cause of IBD remains undetermined, the condition appears to be related to a combination of genetic and environmental factors that result in aberrant activation of the mucosal immune system.Whilst chemotherapeutic treatments are usually effective in most patients in maintaining prolonged remission and decreasing the length of active disease periods, such treatments have side effects and a significant number of people still require surgery.This important book draws together four fundamental strands in IBD research: genetics, bacteriology, epithelial biology and immunology. The identification of genes that confer susceptibility to IBD is likely to translate into a more detailed and complete understanding of disease pathogenesis and of the nature of the key interactions with environmental insults. This could lead to better diagnosis and more rational and appropriate treatment.Novartis Foundation Symposium Staff is the author of 'Inflammatory Bowel Disease Crossroads Of Microbes, Epithelium And Immune Systems', published 2004 under ISBN 9780470090466 and ISBN 0470090464.