Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes a group of chronic enteropathies characterized by recurrent gastrointestinal signs and histologic evidence of intestinal inflammation. While the underlying etiology of IBD still remains unclear, it is thought that a breakdown in immunological tolerance to bacterial and dietary antigens resulting from disruption of the mucosal barrier, dysfunction of the immune system or changes in the enteric microbiome contributes to the pathogenesis of this disease. This case report will review IBD and discuss its diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and recent findings that advance our understanding of the pathogenesis.