Human Gut Metagenome Targeted Locus. human gut metagenome

Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is challenging to diagnose because of the non-specificity of symptoms; an unequivocal diagnosis can only be accomplished using colonoscopy, which clinicians are reluctant to recommend for children. Diagnosis of pediatric IBD is therefore frequently delayed, leading to inappropriate treatment plans and poor outcomes. We investigated the use of 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples and new analytical methods to create a sensitive and specific screening test for IBD. Fecal samples were obtained from 91 children and young adults who were treated in the gastroenterology program of Children's Hospital (Boston, USA).