The role of IL-18 during DSS colitis has been controversially discussed, either suggested to play a role in promoting intestinal epithelial integrity and protection from acute experimental colitis,42–44 or to exacerbate intestinal inflammation due to impaired repair processes.45,46 This prompted us to investigate whether lower levels of colonic IL-18 may be linked to the Prevotella-enhanced susceptibility to colonic inflammation during DSS-induced colitis. The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is inflammatory response.