Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis causes Crohn's disease in some inflammatory bowel disease patients

Figure 1 Schematic illustration of successful Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis detection in clinical samples. Coded EDTA blood samples were collected from patients for investigating the presence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Blood plasma was analyzed by measuring the concentration of anti-MAP IgG antibodies. Peripheral leukocytes were analyzed for the presence of MAP. In the first method, DNA was extracted followed by IS900-based nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using MAP-specific primers. In the second method a mycobacterium growth indicator tube (MGIT) liquid culture system with supplements was used to culture MAP lacking cell wall followed by 3 to 6 mo incubation and IS900-based nested PCR analysis.