ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in intestinal tissue from patients with Crohn's disease demonstrated by a nested primer polymerase chain reaction

Lisby G, Andersen J, Engbaek K, Binder V
Dept. of Clinical Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Denmark

BACKGROUND: The etiology of Crohn's disease remains unknown, but current research has concentrated on autoimmunity and/or mycobacterial infection. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enables the detection of genetic material even when very few microorganisms are present. METHODS: A nested primer PCR for detection of a multi-copy insertional element (IS900) specific for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was applied to DNA extracted from fresh and from paraffin-embedded intestinal tissue obtained from patients undergoing surgery. RESULTS: In fresh intestinal tissue from 11 of 24 patients with Crohn's disease, from 2 of 10 patients with ulcerative colitis, and from 3 of 28 patients with other colonic disorders, specific M. paratuberculosis DNA was found. In paraffin-embedded Crohn's disease tissue the presence of specific M. paratuberculosis DNA was also increased. CONCLUSIONS: Whether the presence of M. paratuberculosis is connected to the inflammatory bowel disease or is a mere coincidence cannot be stated. We find this presence interesting and encouraging for further investigations.

PARA's SUMMARY

THIS PAPER DEMONSTRATES THAT MAP DNA CAN BE FOUND IN ABOUT 50% OF CD TISSUE SAMPLES TESTED, USING PCR (polyermase chain reaction is a very sensitive method of detection is used correctly). THIS MAKES A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN THE PRESENCE OF MAP IN CD.