Diseases of the colon are a big health burden in both men and women worldwide ranging from acute infection to cancer. Environmental and genetic factors influence disease onset and outcome in multiple colonic pathologies. The importance of inflammation in the onset, progression and outcome of multiple colonic pathologies is gaining more traction as the evidence from recent research is considered. In this review, we provide an update on the literature to understand how genetics, diet, and the gut microbiota influence the crosstalk between immune and non-immune cells resulting in inflammation observed in multiple colonic pathologies. Specifically, we focus on four colonic diseases two of which have a more established association with inflammation (inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer) while the other two have a less understood relationship with inflammation (diverticular disease and irritable bowel syndrome).

Colitis is a general term for the inflammation of the colon’s inner lining, which is your large intestine. There are different types of colitis categorized by cause. Infections, poor blood supply, and parasites can all cause an inflamed colon.

Viruses, bacteria, and parasites can cause infectious colitis. A person who has infectious colitis will have diarrhea and fever, and a stool sample that tests positive for enteropathogens such as:

Salmonella
Campylobacter
Escherichia Coli

Depending on the cause of the infection, infectious colitis may be contracted from contaminated water, foodborne illnesses, or poor hygiene.

Pseudomembranous colitis is another type of infectious colitis. It’s also referred to as antibiotic-associated colitis or C. diff colitis because it results from an overgrowth of the bacteria Clostridium difficile.

It’s most often caused by antibiotic use that interferes with the balance of healthy bacteria in the colon.

Clinical Gastroenterology Journal (formerly Journal of Colitis & Diverticulitis) is a peer reviewed, open access journal considering research on all aspects of digestive system, gastrointestinal diseases, liver, bilary tract, pancreas, diseases of related organs Ulcer medicine, Colitis, Diverticulitis and associated disorders and their treatment. The Journal aims to provide a platform for the exchange of scientific information addressing clinical research and practice of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

You can submit your manuscript online portal.

With Regards
Jessica Watson
Managing Editor
Clinical Gastroenterology Journal