Authors: Naser SA, Ghobrial G, Romero C, Valentine JF.
Institution: Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology and Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA. nasers@mail.ucf.edu
Background: Crohn's disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, resembles some aspects of tuberculosis, leprosy, and paratuberculosis. The role of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in Crohn's disease is controversial.Findings: MAP DNA in uncultured buffy coats was identified by PCR in 13 (46%) individuals with Crohn's disease, four (45%) with ulcerative colitis, and three (20%) without inflammatory bowel disease. Viable MAP was cultured from the blood of 14 (50%) patients with Crohn's disease, two (22%) with ulcerative colitis, and none of the individuals without inflammatory bowel disease. Current use of immunosuppressive medication did not correlate with a positive MAP culture. Sequencing of PCR products from MAP cultures confirmed the presence of the MAP-specific IS900 fragment. Among 11 MAP isolates assessed, we identified nine strains that were not identical.
Interpretation: We detected viable MAP in peripheral blood in a higher proportion of individuals with Crohn's disease than in controls. These data contribute to the evidence that MAP might be a cause of Crohn's disease.
Related Studies:
- Detection and Verification of Mycobacterium Avium Subsp. Paratuberculosis in Fresh Ileocolonic Mucosal Biopsy Specimens from Individuals With and Without Crohn's Disease
- Culture of Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis from the Blood of Patients with Crohn's Disease
- High Prevalence of Mycobacterium Avium subspecies Paratuberculosis IS900 DNA in Gut Tissues from Individuals with Crohn's Disease
- Evaluation of Surgical Tissue from Patients with Crohn's Disease for the Presence of Mycobacterium Avium subspecies Paratuberculosis DNA by in situ Hybridization and Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction
