Cell-wall deficient bacteria in inflammatory bowel disease.

Cell wall deficient forms of bacteria were isolated from 40-60% of patients with active inflammatory bowel disease, 15-25% of patients with inactive disease and only 5-7% of controls. The recovery rate from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis tissue filtrates did not differ significantly, but was raised in both groups in comparison with controls (p less than 0.01). It is concluded that a range of such bacteria have a possible aetiological role in inflammatory bowel disease.