Fecal Proteolytic Bacteria and Staphylococcal Superantigens are Associated with Abdominal Pain Severity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

In keeping with our preclinical findings, we show that increased presence of SAg-producing S. aureus in fecal samples of patients with IBS is associated with increased levels of abdominal pain. We also show that increased fecal proteolytic activity is associated with increased abdominal pain in patients with IBS.