The significance of infectious disease and microbiota in functional gastrointestinal disorders

The definition of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) used to be disorders that do not manifest into organic abnormalities. However, it was pointed out that chronic GI dysfunctions can develop following bacterial infections such as acute gastroenteritis and viral infections, and some organic changes in the epithelial cell structure, immunocompetent cells, and inflammatory cytokines were revealed. Recent advancements in analytical methods helped discover changes in the intestinal microbiota of patients with FGID. Correlations between the effects on the enteric environment and clinical conditions and symptoms of FGID are drawing increasing attention.