Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Antimicrobials

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Novel Antimicrobial Agents".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 8316

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Center of Excellence for Systemic Sclerosis in Croatia, University Hospital Split, Split, Croatia
Interests: vitamin D; systemic sclerosis; malnutrition; body composition; arterial stiffness
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the Special Issue titled “Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Antimicrobials”, we aim to present a comprehensive, multidisciplinary overview of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)—an increasingly recognized and clinically relevant condition. Edited by Prof. Mislav Radić and Dr. Andrej Belančić, this Special Issue will explore both clinical and preclinical insights into the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of SIBO, with particular emphasis on the role of antimicrobial therapies.

Given the complex and multifactorial nature of SIBO, we welcome contributions from a wide range of disciplines such as gastroenterology, clinical pharmacology, infectology, immunology, rheumatology, and related fields, provided the focus is clearly on SIBO. We are particularly interested in studies addressing alterations in gut microbiota specific to SIBO and their impact on host health, antimicrobial resistance challenges in SIBO treatment, and novel antimicrobial, probiotic, or prebiotic strategies aimed at managing SIBO. We also encourage submissions exploring immunological dysregulation in the context of SIBO, the gut–liver axis as it relates to SIBO, and the presence or consequences of SIBO in autoimmune or systemic diseases. Contributions involving preclinical models or translational research are welcome, as long as their relevance to SIBO is clearly established.

As SIBO continues to be linked with a growing number of chronic and systemic conditions, its significance in both clinical and research settings is expanding. At the same time, the field faces considerable challenges, including a lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, limited evidence on optimal treatment approaches, and insufficient data on long-term management. This Special Issue aims to bring together focused research and expert perspectives that directly enhance our understanding of SIBO and support improvements in clinical outcomes.

We believe that Antibiotics and Biomedicines offer excellent platforms for fostering this type of focused, multidisciplinary exchange—connecting clinical practice with the latest scientific findings.

If you are interested in contributing to this Special Issue, please feel free to contact the Guest Editors or reach out to the Editorial Board of the journal. We look forward to your submissions and engaging in productive collaboration.

Dr. Mislav Radić
Dr. Andrej Belančić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • small intestine bacterial overgrowth
  • antibiotics
  • probiotics
  • gut microbiome

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

23 pages, 837 KB  
Review
IBS and SIBO: Gut Microbiota, Pathophysiology, and Non-Pharmacological Interventions
by Jelena Šuran, Nikola Pavlović, Joško Božić, Marko Kumrić, Katarina Vukojević, Natalija Filipović and Božo Radić
Antibiotics 2026, 15(3), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15030251 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 7895
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) share symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Both are linked to dysbiosis and gut–brain axis dysfunction. IBS is a multifactorial disorder characterized by abnormal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, low-grade inflammation, [...] Read more.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) share symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Both are linked to dysbiosis and gut–brain axis dysfunction. IBS is a multifactorial disorder characterized by abnormal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, low-grade inflammation, and alterations in the microbiota. In contrast, SIBO is defined by excessive bacterial colonization of the small intestine that can mimic or worsen IBS symptoms. Gut microbes and their metabolites influence motility, immune activation, barrier integrity, and gas production; methanogen overgrowth is associated with constipation-predominant presentations, while hydrogen- and hydrogen sulfide-related pathways may contribute to diarrhea and bloating. Because recurrent or empiric antibiotic use is common—particularly in suspected SIBO—yet carries risks of resistance, microbiome disruption, and relapse, there is a strong rationale to prioritize effective non-antibiotic strategies. Accordingly, this review synthesizes current evidence on IBS/SIBO pathophysiology and microbiota interactions. It evaluates non-pharmacological interventions including dietary approaches, probiotics/prebiotics, herbal therapies, and mind–body treatments (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy and gut-directed hypnotherapy). We emphasize an integrative framework that supports symptom control and quality of life while helping reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Antimicrobials)
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