Antibiotic Combination Has Therapeutic Benefits for Patients With Early-Onset IBD

Oral vancomycin and gentamicin may treat very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) in young children, according to the results of a recent randomized drug trial.

IBD is a complex and difficult disease to treat, especially in cases of very early onset, researchers said. Genetics and environment are often contributing factors.

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The researchers assessed 5 children during onset of IBD who had been resistant to standard treatments. Each child, ranging in age from 6 months to 2.7 years of age (mean = 1.6 years), received oral vancomycin with or without gentamicin during the study.

The results showed that 4 of 5 children had a positive reaction to the treatment, which was sustained in 3 of those 4 children during a follow-up period of 12 to 33 months after baseline.

“Our findings are consistent with model systems and suggest that randomized trials are required to establish whether a change in therapeutic paradigm, that is, targeting gram-positive bacteria with nonabsorbable antibiotics, may have therapeutic benefits,” researchers concluded.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Lev-Tzion R, Ledder O, Shteyer E, Tan MLN, Uhlig HH, Turner D. Oral vancomycin and gentamicin for treatment of very early onset inflammatory bowel disease. Digestion. 2017;95(4):310-313. https://doi.org/10.1159/000475660.