Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis and the possible links to Crohn's disease

In 2000 the Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) adopted a report entitled Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (Map) does it contribute to Crohn’s Disease? (FSAI,2000). The principal conclusion of that report was that the available data were inconclusive and a direct link between Map and Crohn’s disease could not be established. However, the report recommended that the Committee keep the issue under review. Since that time, the Committee has periodically revisited the subject as more research has been published. In 2008, the Microbiology Sub-committee conducted a more formal review of the research and opinion published in the years since the original report in 2000. Fifty six key publications were identified between 2000 and 2008. Based on a review of these papers, the Committee concluded that the balance of available evidence does not support a causal relationship between Map and the incidence of Crohn’s disease.IE; en; info@fsai.ie; focalpoint@fsai.i