ASSESSMENT OF GUT MICROBIOCENOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME: METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES, FUNCTIONAL INSIGHTS, AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent disorder of gut–brain interaction whose pathophysiology is intimately linked to alterations in the intestinal microbial ecosystem. This review synthesizes current evidence on the assessment of gut microbiocenosis in IBS, covering taxonomic and functional shifts, novel molecular tools, and the clinical utility of dysbiosis indices. A systematic analysis of eight recent original studies reveals consistent reductions in microbial diversity, perturbations in key phyla and genera, and functional reprogramming of microbial metabolic pathways. Metatranscriptomic signatures, metagenomewide association studies, and validated dysbiosis scores offer promising avenues for objective, early diagnosis and subtype stratification. Nevertheless, interstudy heterogeneity, confounding variables, and a lack of longitudinal data remain critical gaps. Integrating multiomics approaches with standardized clinical phenotyping is essential to translate microbial biomarkers into routine gastroenterology practice.