Microbiological and immunological strategies for treatment of inflammatorybowel disease

Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative c olitis, affect around 1 in every 1 000 individuals in western countries. Th ey probably result from an inappropriate reaction towards the commensal mic roflora and are currently treated with antiinflammatory drugs or surgery. N ovel strategies aim at blocking lymphocyte recruitment and activation, impr oved targeting of therapeutics and modification of gut microflora. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.