Researchers said Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis have distinct microbiomes, which could help physicians differentiate between them and reduce the use of diagnostic endoscopy. The study reported in the journal Gut included analysis of 2,045 fecal samples and showed patients with Crohn’s had less microbial diversity and a less stable microbiome compared with UC patients.

See the press article on Medscape (free registration required) or the underlying article in GUT