Microbology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Characterization of anaerobic microorganisms in the bowel of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Inclusion Criteria

• Adult patients who have active or quiescent inflammatory bowel disease
• Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• Those undergoing clinically indicated colonoscopy

Exclusion Criteria

• Minors under age 18
• Persons refusing to participate
• Patients not undergoing colonoscopy

Study Requirements

Research is done during scheduled colonoscopy. Objective is to collect microorganisms from the ileum and colonic cecum mucosa using standard mucosal brushing or saline washing techniques during colonoscopy when those sites are available to sample. Patients will only be studied a second time if they have a clinically indicated need for subsequent colonoscopy.