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[Possible association between Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis infection and Crohn's disease]

Patricio Retamal1, Caroll Beltrán, Pedro Abalos

  • 1Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago. pretamal@uchile.cl

Revista Medica De Chile
|November 5, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) may cause Crohn's disease (CD) in humans, but evidence remains controversial. Further research is needed to confirm if MAP is a zoonotic agent linked to CD.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Human Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology

Context:

  • Paratuberculosis, a chronic intestinal disease in animals, shares pathological similarities with human Crohn's disease.
  • Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) has been detected in food products and tissues of Crohn's disease patients, suggesting a potential link.
  • The hypothesis of MAP as a zoonotic agent causing Crohn's disease is debated within the scientific community.

Purpose:

  • To review and contrast the evidence supporting and refuting an association between MAP and Crohn's disease.
  • To critically evaluate the current scientific understanding of MAP's role in human health.
  • To highlight the need for further investigation into the potential zoonotic nature of MAP.

Summary:

  • This review examines the controversial link between Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and Crohn's disease (CD).
  • Evidence for and against MAP as a causative agent in CD is presented and contrasted.
  • The review underscores the ongoing scientific debate regarding MAP's zoonotic potential.

Impact:

  • Provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on MAP and CD.
  • Identifies gaps in knowledge and areas requiring further investigation.
  • Emphasizes the importance of targeted national studies to resolve the controversy surrounding MAP's role in human disease.

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