Informed Therapeutic Microbiome Modulation for Post-Infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Pilot Experience of a Microbiome Clinic

Background: Untargeted microbiome modulation has achieved conflicting results in post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). Methods: In a case–control study of PI-IBS patients, cases received targeted microbial modulation informed by microbiome profiling, while controls were managed by standard therapy. Treatment response was defined as a decrease in IBS-symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS) ≥50 points. Results: All thirteen cases (100%) and 11/20 controls (55%) experienced treatment response (p < 0.0001). The mean IBS-SSS score after treatments was 163 in cases and 231 in controls (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Based on our preliminary results, therapeutic microbiome modulation might be a promising strategy for PI-IBS. Further studies are needed to clarify its role.