Probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: controlled trials and perspectives

Probiotics may modulate intestinal flora and immunity and are therefore studied in an attempt to modulate experimental colitis or human inflammatory bowel disease. We analysed randomised controlled trials performed using probiotics in humans with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and pouchitis. Perspectives include the use of genetically modified micro-organisms to deliver anti-inflammatory agents to the gastrointestinal tract.