Crohns Disease Research

12.23.09

In the early 1900’s, the disease we call today “Crohns disease” was characterized as an infectious disease, specifically intestinal tuberculosis. However, by the early 1930’s, definitive classification (proof) that this disease was infectious was not forthcoming. More specifically, when Dr. Burrill B. Crohn failed to prove an infectious cause in 1932, the disease became formally known as “Crohns disease” (named after Dr. Crohn) and the search for an infectious cause was largely discontinued.

As a result, Crohns disease research has for many years been almost exclusively concentrated in “immunology” – and finding ways to “calm the overactive immune system” in Crohn’s patients – immune systems which were overactive due to “no known cause.”

Research Beginning in the 1980’s
Nevertheless, beginning in the 1980’s, a small core of highly regarded and dedicated researchers in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and other countries valiantly began again – in the face of contrary opinion in the medical community, and despite low-level to nonexistent funding – the search for an infectious cause for Crohns disease.

Over the intervening years this small core of researchers has slowly grown, and despite all obstacles has continued to painstakingly and relentlessly amass scientific evidence that suggests an etiological connection between Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), and Crohns disease. On behalf of Crohn’s patients everywhere, PARA highly commends and offers a heartfelt “Thank You” to the dedicated researchers who, in the 1980’s, valiantly began again, and have henceforth, with slowly growing ranks, relentlessly continued the search for an infectious cause of Crohns disease.

Current Research – National Institutes of Health (NIH)
On December 14 1998, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) hosted a workshop entitled “Crohn’s Disease:- Is there a microbial etiology? Recommendations for a research agenda.”

The workshop brought together researchers from multiple disciplines, including, but not limited to, mycobacteriology, molecular biology, immunology, gastroenterology, and veterinary medicine, etc., to discuss a potential infectious cause for Crohns disease. As the culmination of workshop deliberations and on-going NIAID research and efforts, in May 1999, the NIAID published a highly significant historical document – a comprehensive document setting forth an entirely new research agenda to place the search for an infectious cause for Crohns disease at the forefront of Crohn’s research, and to set forth the critical and rigorous research necessary to determine the relationship between Crohns disease and microbial infection, in particular infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP).

The NIAID’s historic “Research Recommendations” document has been reproduced in its entirety on this web site. Please read it on the page entitled NIAID Research Agenda. In mid 2002 NIAID funded the first significant research in the United States, targeting MAP as a cause of Crohns disease.  At this same time National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) also stepped to the plate to fund Crohns disease/MAP research.

For further information on NIH efforts, visit PARA’s Report – “PARA’s Efforts Benefits Crohn’s Sufferers.”PARA commends the NIH for significant efforts to determine the cause of Crohns disease.

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