Does MAP “Cause” Crohns Disease?
There seems to be universal agreement among researchers that Mycobacterium Avium Paratuberculosis (MAP), on its own, doesn’t “cause” Crohn’s Disease. This is based on strong genetic and immunological evidence suggesting the children and young adults who develop the illness have either an inherited or acquired susceptibility to develop an abnormal immune reaction to MAP infection. However there is also overwhelming evidence that preventing MAP infection in the first place reduces a children’s chances of developing an incurable and often fatal illness. Owing to the federal government’s refusal to implement public health measures to effectively limit exposure, the US presently enjoys the distinction of having the highest incidence of Crohn’s in the world. While the issue remains controversial, twenty years of research strongly suggests MAP plays some role in the etiology of Crohn’s: 1. While MAP is a common soil organism found nearly everywhere in the world, Crohn’s Disease is only found
