Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Adjuvant Activity of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in Enhancing the Immunogenicity of Autoantigens During Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: May 12, 2023
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in children with early-onset Crohn's disease
Carl D Kirkwood1, Josef Wagner, Karen Boniface
1Enteric Virus Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. carl.kirkwood@mcri.edu.au
Background:
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the most enduring infectious candidate that may be associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is possible that the inconsistencies in the prevalence studies of MAP in adults reflect clinical differences in adult patients studied, including duration of disease and treatment regimens, and also in lack of specificity of some of the assays used. The aim was to determine the presence of MAP in children with symptoms of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), using gut biopsy tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) collected at initial endoscopic examination prior to clinical treatment.
Methods:
Mucosal biopsies and/or PBMC specimens were collected from a total of 142 children, comprising 62 with CD, 26 with UC, and 54 with non-IBD. MAP-specific IS900 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed on all biopsies and PBMC specimens. Conventional MAP culture technique was performed on a subset of 10 CD, 2 UC, and 4 non-IBD patients to isolate MAP.
Results:
MAP was identified by IS900 PCR significantly more often in mucosal biopsies from CD 39% (22/56) than from non-IBD 15% (6/39) patients (P < 0.05), and in PBMC from CD 16% (8/50) than from non-IBD 0% (0/31) patients (P < 0.05). Viable MAP were cultured from mucosal biopsies from 4/10 CD, 0/2 UC, and 0/4 non-IBD patients, but were not cultured from PBMC specimens.
Conclusions:
This unique study on the occurrence of MAP in gut tissue and blood from pediatric IBD patients suggests the possible involvement of MAP in the early stages of development of CD in children.
Insights
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) DNA was detected in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) patients' gut biopsies and blood. This suggests MAP may play a role in early pediatric CD development.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Background:
- Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a suspected factor in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Previous MAP prevalence studies in adults show inconsistencies, possibly due to clinical differences and assay specificity.
- This study investigates MAP presence in children with suspected Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) before treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence of MAP in pediatric patients with IBD symptoms.
- To analyze MAP in gut biopsy tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at initial diagnosis.
- To explore the potential link between MAP and early-stage pediatric IBD.
Main Methods:
- Collected mucosal biopsies and PBMC from 142 children (62 CD, 26 UC, 54 non-IBD).
- Performed MAP-specific IS900 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on all specimens.
- Conducted conventional MAP culture on a subset of patients.
Main Results:
- MAP DNA detected significantly more often in CD mucosal biopsies (39%) vs. non-IBD (15%).
- MAP DNA found more frequently in PBMC from CD patients (16%) vs. non-IBD (0%).
- Viable MAP cultured from 4/10 CD biopsies, but not from UC or non-IBD biopsies, nor any PBMC.
Conclusions:
- MAP presence in gut tissue and blood suggests its potential involvement in early pediatric CD.
- This study provides evidence for MAP's role in the initial development of Crohn's disease in children.
- Further research is warranted to confirm MAP's etiological role in pediatric IBD.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:23Tuberculosis
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...