bacteria is a cause or consequence of UC?

http://www.gutpathogens.com/content/2/1/21

Some say, Map causes it, then other bacteria grows because of poor digestion..

It sounds logical to me..

So it is a two state disease/system and transition between the states is real hard and discontinous.

DBwithUC said...
gut flora ARE bacteria, so how can you say , "altered micro flora seen in some UC patients might be a consequence of the inflamed bowel itself rather than the cause" and then say "none of the articles I read discussed whether bacteria is a consequence" - you seem to be using bacteria and gut flora with different meanings. the way you put the question is confusing.

also, how can ancedotal opinions, especially given the confused question, tell you what scholarly papers do not?

I know gut flora are bacteria. What I was trying to say is altered microflora seen in some UC patients MIGHT be a consequence of the inflammed bowel. Prior to the alteration in bacteria population in the gut, there might be another pathological trigger causes UC, then the inflammation process affects the microflora(hence the consequence of UC). This is just a hypothesis.

Then i said "none of the articles I read discussed whether bacteria is a consequence" is because all the articles I have read are all about the findings of UC and the possible interaction with mucosal immune system, microflora, genetic predisposition. Though they are mostly pointing to bacteria as a CAUSE,(as none of them discuss CONSEQUENCE), i am not confident to conclude that bacteria is a cause. i'm in dilemma.

Quincy, out of an intestinal tract which as you say is teeming with bacteria, it only takes ONE BAD-ARSE little bugger to do the damage. Just like the helicobacter in 95% of peptic ulcers.

All they gotta do is isolate it. (the hard part)

It's just a theory though...;)

It's bacterial but has to hit under the right conditions (pregnancy, after birth, immunocompromised, damaged intestinal barrier).