crohnscanada.myfastforum.org

sh!+_stains · Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 40

Check out an article on the CCFC's homepage (http://www.ccfc.ca/English/index.html). The researchers found major susceptibility genes for crohn's. Some of the genes are related to killing bacteria; it couldn't be, though, that these genes are related to MAP because that would be ridiculous. They must be related to commensal flora...

"In addition, the identification of the NCF4 gene indicates that altered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, important in the generation of an effective anti-microbial response, may lead to increased risk to developing Crohn’s disease”. The fact that the authors also found strong association of the ATG16L1 gene provides further evidence that an individual’s response to microbes has an influence on susceptibility to Crohn’s disease. Specifically, in addition to demonstrating its association to disease, these authors have shown that ATG16L1 is essential for the normal autophagic process used to degrade worn-out cellular components and help eliminate some pathogenic bacteria."

Exploited · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 42

Professor Hermon Taylor admits there is not much genetic link to the disease.
He says less than 25% of Crohn's patients have the supposed genetic mutation. And this theory goes out the window as Crohn's effects other races, and animals Smile

This disease fulfills all 4 of Koch's postulates, so its sort of been proven to not be genetic.

Genetics are such a great dumping ground for research money.
You can pump in billions and never find a cure, sort of like a mule with a carrot dangling on a stick in front of him.

Why would the administrators of these charities want to stop the good life on our suffering? Most of them have $100k+ salaries and big fat expense accounts, which they use on fancy hotels and meals, cars, travel, ect.

sh!+_stains · Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 40

I don't entirely agree Exploited. I think Dr Hermon-Taylor was talking about the NOD2 gene which is found in only a small proportion of Crohn's patients and not asians. But there are many other genetic mutations associated with Crohn's that are implicated in innate immunity to mycobacterial infection. Also, NOD2 is implicated in intracellular infections, so for those people with the mutation the gene is probably highly significant if it can be shown to be a factor for susceptibility to a MAP infection. I would have to say that everything is genetic. Why do some people come down with a MAP infection and not others? It could be that one was exposed to a large enough dose of MAP, or it could be that one had taken antibiotics prior to MAP exposure and their intestines were not as full of good bacteria as one would like, or it could be that one had the stomach flu and was vulnerable, or it could be that one has a genetic mutation which leaves them vulnerable to infection. I would have to guess that it is the latter in the majority of cases; although, it could be a combination of all the above. Take the example of TB, so many people in the world are infected with the bacteria, but only a few ever develop disease.

That said, if there was no MAP there would probably be no Crohn's.