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Bacterium Might Cause Crohn's Disease

Posted on: Wednesday, 12 December 2007, 12:00 CST

British scientists have discovered a bacterium that produces a wasting illness in cattle might also cause Crohn's disease in humans.

Crohn's disease affects one in 800 people in the United Kingdom, causing intestinal inflammation that produces pain, bleeding and diarrhea.

University of Liverpool researchers discovered the Mycobacterium paratuberculosis bacterium releases a molecule that prevents a type of white blood cell from killing E.coli bacteria found in the body. E.coli is known to be present within Crohn's disease tissue in increased numbers.

It is thought the Mycobacteria make their way into the body's system via cows' milk and other dairy products. In cattle it can cause an illness called Johne's disease -- a wasting, diarrheal condition. Until now it has been unclear how the bacterium could trigger intestinal inflammation in humans.

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis has been found within Crohn's disease tissue, but there has been much controversy concerning its role in the disease, said Professor Jon Rhodes. We have now shown that these Mycobacteria release a complex molecule containing a sugar called mannose. This molecule prevents a type of white blood cells, called macrophages, from killing internalized E.Coli.

The study appears in the journal Gastroenterology.

Source: United Press International

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