The scientists also tested the theory on a human serum sample. Professor Round said While only a subset of patients with IBD are colonised by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the findings of this

study support the idea that yeast exacerbates the illness. She said it could mean ‘relief’ from the disease is ‘in reach’. To test the idea, the scientists treated mice with a generic drug,

allopurinol, used to prevent production of uric acid in patients with gout. Experts found the drug significantly reduced intestinal inflammation in these mice. "Our work suggests that

if we can block the mechanism leading to the production of uric acid, perhaps with allopurinol, IBD patients with a high concentration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies may have a new