Absence of classical enteric pathogens in IBD-associated dysbiosis: Evidence from real-time PCR

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is commonly associated with intestinal microbial imbalance. Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms in IBD may overlap with active disease, functional bowel symptoms, dysbiosis, or acute enteric infection. Molecular testing can help determine whether classical bacterial pathogens contribute to such symptoms.
Aim: The present study aimed to detect selected classical enteric bacterial pathogens in intestinal aspirate samples from IBD patients with suspected dysbiosis using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Methods: This short observational molecular study analyzed 48 jejunal aspirate samples obtained from patients with IBD. Bacterial DNA was extracted and tested using the TRUPCR Gastrointestinal Panel I Kit. The panel targeted Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC). Positive controls, non-template controls, and internal controls were used to validate assay performance.
Results: None of the 48 intestinal aspirate samples showed amplification for Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., or VTEC. Positive controls amplified successfully, confirming assay validity. Non-template controls showed no amplification, excluding contamination. Internal controls showed acceptable amplification patterns, supporting reliable interpretation of negative findings.
Conclusion: The absence of the tested classical enteric pathogens suggests that IBD-associated dysbiosis in this cohort was not attributable to Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, or VTEC. Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms in IBD patients may therefore reflect altered commensal microbial balance rather than acute infection with these selected pathogens. Broader molecular and microbiome-based studies are recommended to further characterize dysbiosis in IBD.