Another bacterium has been added to the growing list of gut bugs with demonstrated therapeutic effects.
The bacterium whose prowess has been revealed recently is a particularly abundant strain of clostridium (C. perfringens) that appears to be a remarkably strong inducer of regulatory T cells (Tregs), immune cells that are very important in allergy, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as a lot of other chronic diseases.
This study, which is one of the first to identify a commensal microbe that affects Tregs, has also revealed that distinct bacterial species can produce particular immune responses, and that these responses may be region-specific within the intestine.
Also, recently, there has been further confirmation that intestinal worms also induce the development of regulatory T cells.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
