Bacterial or autoimmune?

So there is a lot of talk on here about how this is a "bad bacteria" problem. Lots of discussion about what to eat or not to eat regarding bacteria, lots of mention of probiotics.

I, and probably many of you were biopsied for a bacterial infection, mine was negative. This pointed to UC as opposed to other types of colitis, and UC is considered an *autoimmune* problem.

So where is the connection between the immune system and bacteria?

Why do the established professionals not consider this more bacterial? Almost all the treatments are essentially anti inflammatory or immunosuppressants.

I don't know either and I don't think there is an answer at this time. it also seems like different people different causes of their UC and different triggers. I have always felt like I had something bacterial going on but the fact that I've responded well to 6mp has me questioning whether I also have something autoimmune. Maybe all of my whacky symptoms are autoimmune. I've been so tired for so long, it could be related.

The immune system is really complicated. Everyone's intestines harbor both good and bad bacteria. In normal people your good bacteria keep your bad bacteria outnumbered and makes life difficult for them. If your UC is autoimmune related (as in most cases) your immune system gets fired up and in the process kills a lot of the good bacteria, leaving a much larger balance of the bad bacteria. So, anything you can do to increase the good bacteria in your cut and decrease the bad bacteria is helpful.

Good question. I'm not sure of the technical explanation but there has been a lot of evidence that those with UC have an overabundance of bad bacteria and an underabundance of good bacteria. It is also pretty much understood that most cases of ideopathic UC are caused by an immune system that has gone wrong and is overactive when it shouldn't be. That's kind of the definition of autoimmune. Even the doctors don't know exactly what all happens. That's why a lot of treatments are geared toward slowing down or stopping the immune attack.

Yeah I came back negative each flare. about 4 years ago when I was hospitalized for suspected c-diff, I was also negative for all infections. Prior to this though I never had any bowel issues other than bad reflux and constipation now and then. They treated with flagyl, relapsed after 4 days off and then oral Vanco which worked.
I wonder if it was the start of UC or actually c-diff which caused UC. Since then I have had a bad flare or 2 each year each one more bloody and this last one very painful, hence the prednisone start.

I want to clarify that I mean bacterial imbalance is likely involved (and genetics), not a bacterial pathogen. I think it's entirely possible that a bacterial imbalance triggers the inappropriate immune response.

What type of bacteria were they looking for if I may ask?

They never said, maybe C diff. All I know is they were looking for a bacterial reason, and didnt find it.

I too think that the bacteria connection is hugely unknown. I posted a while back, though it received little attention, about a Radio Lab episode on "Guts". There they described research that the bacteria in your gut actually *changes the way your brain works*. Essentially, high doses of beneficial bacteria led to a relaxed, valium like state.

Interesting considering that one's emotions are profoundly linked to the *digestive tract*. How many times in my (and yours?) life has intense nervousness translated into a twisted up, painful gut? Hmm...

I was on 2 rounds of antibiotics when I had my first UC symptoms. Clindesse was one and I can't remember the name of the other one. It was for a sore throat, not even strep. I had NO idea about good and bad bacteria, etc... I just blindly took what the doctor prescribed to me. I always wonder what my health would be like if I wouldn't have taken those pills. I come from a huge family (8 biological siblings) and despite my dad being an ashke**** jew, nobody else has UC. So like the others have said, I think a bacterial imbalance can trigger an autoimmune response.

plain and simple it is both bacterial and autoimmune as for as the course of the disease. this does not mean it began due to bacterial infection. the bacterial element is a dysregulation of the bacteria in the gut. the gut bacteria can affect the immune system, and the immune system maintains the balance of gut bacterial.

something like c-diff UC is due to infection. In that case there is a specific infectious agent that needs to be eliminated. The stuff in probiotics are necessary bacteria (consider colonization rather than infection).

You can get a lot of education on this topic from the special issue of Science on the Gut Microbiota www.sciencemag.org/content/336/6086.toc#SpecialIssue

Well I was tested for Bacteria from the doctor. They did a
stool sample and nothing came back. I was then tested by this nutritionist and
it came back that I had an unidentified parasite. Since doing the cleans I have
not had bleeding since December 2011. I have not managed to get rid of
ulcerative colitis completely but I am thinking there is a link there. I guess
if you try a low carb diet and the bleeding becomes less you can tell if
something is feeding in your system. Saying this you have to do it for a long
long time. Or at least that is what I have been doing. I wish the doctors would
put more research into this. They won't.. They will only put money into new
drugs. Nothing else. So be it.

Seems to me this is consistent with stem cell research based on adipose tissue, which locates the "problem" originating in the cells of the mucosal lining and not originating in the immune system - even though an autoimmune response is the end result.

And speaking of which I want pig worms NOW

I actually had a piece of the colon wall biopsied, not the stool.

I would think that if something could be identified AS a parasite, they should be roughly able to figure out what kind.