Fungus discovered as a major factor in Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease- devitalizing inflammatory bowel disease causing severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and fatigue.
Hundreds of bacterial and fungal species are known to inhabit the human intestines.
It is already known that in addition to genetic and dietary factors, bacteria play a major role in causing Crohn’s disease.
Now researchers at Case Western Reserve University for the first time has identified a fungus in humans as a key factor in the development of Crohn’s disease.
The study suggests that the bacteria and fungus interact in the intestines in those with Crohn’s disease. Two bacteria (Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens) and one fungus (Candida tropicalis) moved in lock step.