Is Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis the Trigger in the Crohn's Disease Spectrum?

Open Forum Infect Dis. 2017 May 18;4(3):ofx104. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofx104. eCollection 2017 Summer.

Abstract

We present and discuss a 30-month investigation of a patient that presented with abdominal pain, postprandial diarrhea, bloating, and night sweats and was treated for Crohn's disease without significant improvement. The patient underwent an ileocecetomy with removal of an atonic segment with resolution of functional gastrointestinal symptoms, but profound night sweats continued postoperatively. The patient was presumptively treated for a mixed mycobacterial infection, blood cultures later grew Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP), and she improved over time. We discuss MAP and its possible relationship to Crohn's disease.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; MAP; Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis; night sweats..