The <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> (MAP) prevalence in patients with either Crohn’s or UC as compared to age and sex-matched controls.

<p>The <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> (MAP) prevalence in patients with either Crohn’s or UC as compared to age and sex-matched controls.</p

A comparison of each individual PCR assay and the patient/ control samples (by identity number) that were <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> positive.

<p>A comparison of each individual PCR assay and the patient/ control samples (by identity number) that were <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> positive.</p

Comparison of MIC values between ATCC19698 and isolate 43525.

<p>Comparison of MIC values between ATCC19698 and isolate 43525.</p

The Association of <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> subsp. <i>paratuberculosis</i> with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

<div><p>The association of <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> subspecies <i>paratuberculosis</i> (<i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i>) with Crohn’s disease is a controversial issue. <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> is detected by amplifying the <i>IS900</i> gene, as microbial culture is unreliable from humans. We determined the presence of <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) (n = 22), ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 20), aphthous ulcers (n = 21) and controls (n = 42) using PCR assays validated on bovine tissue. Culture from human tissue was also performed. <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> prevalence in the CD and UC groups was compared to the prevalence in age and sex matched non-inflammatory bowel disease controls. Patients and controls were determined to be <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> positive if all three PCR assays were positive. A significant association was found between <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> and Crohn’s disease (p = 0.02) that was not related to age, gender, place of birth, smoking or alcohol intake. No significant association was detected between <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> and UC or aphthous ulcers; however, one <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> isolate was successfully cultured from a patient with UC. We report the resistance of this isolate to ethambutol, rifampin, clofazamine and streptomycin. Interestingly this isolate could not only survive but could grow slowly at 5°C. We demonstrate a significant association between <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> and CD using multiple pre-validated PCR assays and that <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> can be isolated from patients with UC.</p></div

Natural log of Colony Forming Units (CFU) of isolate 43525 growing at 5°C.

<p>Error bars indicate standard deviation. The increase in CFUs on day 21 was greater than 2 standard deviations.</p

Characteristics of patients included in the study.

<p>Characteristics of patients included in the study.</p

Comparison of the biochemical test results for isolate 43525 compared to other <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> isolates reported in the literature.

<p>Comparison of the biochemical test results for isolate 43525 compared to other <i>M</i>. <i>paratuberculosis</i> isolates reported in the literature.</p