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An immunocytochemical search for infectious agents in Crohn's disease
R W Cartun1, H J Van Kruiningen, C A Pedersen
1Department of Pathobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs.
Abstract:
Microorganisms have long been suspected of causing Crohn's disease (CD); however, an etiologic agent has yet to be identified. Few studies have employed immunocytochemistry (ICC) to examine tissue from patients with CD for microbial antigens. We investigated 36 formalin-fixed tissues from 16 patients with CD with ICC. No evidence of adenovirus, Borrelia, Brucella, BVDV, Campylobacter, Campylobacter-like organisms, Chlamydia, coronavirus, CMV, EBV, Legionella, mycobacteria, Pseudomonas, rotavirus, Salmonella, Shigella, staphylococci, Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema, or Yersinia was found. ICC identified E. coli and streptococcal antigens in 11 (69%) and 10 (63%) of the 16 cases studied, respectively. Escherichia coli immunoreactivity was located in ulcers, within the lamina propria, and along fissures. Streptococcal immunolabeling occurred within mucosal epithelial cells, in the lamina propria, in ulcers, along fissures, in granulomatous inflammation including multinucleate giant cells, and in lymph nodes. These results suggest that some of the granulomas in CD may result from immunologic processing of bacterial antigens following their penetration through a compromised mucosa. E. coli and streptococcal antigens may contribute to the pathogenesis of CD.
Insights
Researchers investigated Crohn's disease (CD) tissues for microbial causes. Immunocytochemistry detected E. coli and streptococcal antigens, suggesting these bacteria may contribute to CD pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Crohn's disease (CD) etiology remains unknown, with microorganisms suspected but unconfirmed.
- Limited research has used immunocytochemistry (ICC) to detect microbial antigens in CD tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of microbial antigens in intestinal tissues from Crohn's disease patients using immunocytochemistry.
- To identify potential bacterial or viral agents involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.
Main Methods:
- Formalin-fixed intestinal tissues from 16 Crohn's disease patients were analyzed using immunocytochemistry (ICC).
- A panel of 21 common microbial pathogens were tested for, including bacteria and viruses.
Main Results:
- No evidence of adenovirus, Borrelia, Brucella, Campylobacter, Chlamydia, coronavirus, CMV, EBV, Legionella, mycobacteria, Pseudomonas, rotavirus, Salmonella, Shigella, staphylococci, Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema, or Yersinia was found.
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) antigens were detected in 69% of cases, and streptococcal antigens in 63% of cases.
- E. coli immunoreactivity was observed in ulcers and lamina propria; streptococcal labeling was found in epithelial cells, lamina propria, ulcers, granulomas, and lymph nodes.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests that E. coli and streptococcal antigens may play a role in Crohn's disease pathogenesis.
- Bacterial antigens penetrating a compromised mucosa could trigger granulomatous inflammation observed in CD.