Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may be associated with worsening symptoms of atopic diseases such as bronchial asthma, food allergies and chronic urticaria, according to an analysis by specialists from Wroclaw Medical University.
The review, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, examined existing studies on the relationship between gut microbiota disorders and immune-related conditions, the university said in a press release.
SIBO refers to the excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine and is typically linked to gastrointestinal symptoms including bloating, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
‘However, a growing body of research indicates that its effects may extend beyond the digestive system. Gut microbiota disorders can affect the immune system through the so-called gut-immune axis. As a result, intestinal dysbiosis may contribute to the exacerbation of atopic disease symptoms – affecting the respiratory tract, skin, gastrointestinal tract’, the experts report.
The analysis found that positive breath test results for SIBO appear more frequently in patients with bronchial asthma, food allergies, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and chronic spontaneous urticaria. The researchers cautioned that the findings do not establish SIBO as a direct cause of these conditions.
‘It is estimated that in the general population, SIBO occurs in approximately 20% of healthy individuals, while conclusive data are lacking for allergy sufferers. However, most studies indicate a correlation between a positive breath test result and allergy symptoms’, said Krzysztof Gomułka, PhD, from the Department and Clinic of Allergology and Internal Medicine at Wroclaw Medical University.
The researchers noted a potential two-way relationship. SIBO may contribute to so-called “leaky gut”, promoting inflammation and allergic reactions, while chronic inflammation linked to atopic diseases may impair intestinal function and encourage bacterial overgrowth.
Testing for SIBO is not currently standard practice in patients with allergies, but researchers say it may be warranted in specific cases.
‘Warning signs include a sudden worsening of the allergic disease or the appearance of new symptoms despite treatment’, Gomułka said. (PAP)
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