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

<i>Background</i>: Untargeted microbiome modulation has achieved conflicting results in post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). <i>Methods</i>: 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. <i>Results</i>: All thirteen cases (100%) and 11/20 controls (55%) experienced treatment response (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). The mean IBS-SSS score after treatments was 163 in cases and 231 in controls (<i>p</i> = 0.01). <i>Conclusions</i>: Based on our preliminary results, therapeutic microbiome modulation might be a promising strategy for PI-IBS. Further studies are needed to clarify its role.