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.
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.
Authors: M T Collins; G Lisby; C Moser; D Chicks; S Christensen; M Reichelderfer; N Høiby; B A Harms; O O Thomsen; U Skibsted; V Binder Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2000-12 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: F Autschbach; S Eisold; U Hinz; S Zinser; M Linnebacher; T Giese; T Löffler; M W Büchler; J Schmidt Journal: Gut Date: 2005-07 Impact factor: 23.059
Authors: J Wehkamp; J Harder; M Weichenthal; M Schwab; E Schäffeler; M Schlee; K R Herrlinger; A Stallmach; F Noack; P Fritz; J M Schröder; C L Bevins; K Fellermann; E F Stange Journal: Gut Date: 2004-11 Impact factor: 23.059