Maladie de Crohn, maladie infectieuse? Détection de Mycobacterium paratuberculosis au cours de la maladie de Crohn par amplification génique (PCR). Résultats préliminaires

Crohn's disease has been suspected of having a mycobacterial cause: Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, a known cause of chronic enteritis in ruminants. A polymerase chain reaction based on a genomic DNA insertion element specific ofr M. paratuberculosis was developed. The presence in 78 % of Crohn's disease tissues but in less than 20 % of control tissues is consistent with an aetiological role for M. paratuberculosis in Crohn's disease.