New research shows links between fungi and Crohn’s Disease
Nearly 700,000 Americans suffer from Crohn’s disease which is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The researchers from the Case Western Reserve University of Medicine have discovered some information that could indicate the cause of the disease. Experts believe that the new data could someday lead to finding a cure for the illness or new treatment.
Crohn’s disease was first discovered in 1932 by Dr. Burrill B. Crohn, along with his colleagues and is part of a group of illnesses known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD).
Crohn’s usually affects the beginning of the colon and the end of the small bowel called the ileum. However, it is known to attack any part of the (GI) tract. Although Crohn’s is very similar to ulcerative colitis, experts advise that it is not the same thing. The diseases have comparable symptoms, but they affect different areas of the gastrointestinal tract. The ulcerative colitis affects the inner lining of the colon while Crohn’s involves the whole thickness of the bowel wall. Symptoms of the inflammation of the GI tract include rectal bleeding, persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, and constipation (it could also cause bowel obstruction).
Because the reasons for the disease are still unknown, scientists believe that it is due to more factors, including malfunctioning immune system and genetics. Moreover, other research shows that certain bacteria could be related to the illness.
The most recent study proves that fungi could also have a role in the disease. The lead author of the survey, Mahmoud A. Ghannoum, Ph.D., professor of the Center for Medical Mycology said that while other studies only analyzed bacteria, they have examined both bacteria and fungi. He also noted that they decided to do so because both the organisms live in our body and interact with each other.
The research involved 28 Crohn’s-free subjects from nine families, 20 individuals with Crohn’s and 21 Crohn’s-free subjects from four different families. Volunteers were from Belgium and northern France.
The findings showed that people with Crohn’s disease had substantial fungal-bacterial interactions. These patients had E. coli , Serratia marcescens bacteria and Candida tropicalis fungus. All the organisms were significantly higher in Crohn’s sufferers associated with their healthy siblings.
With these new findings, Mahmoud and his team hope to continue research and move forward in finding a new treatment for Crohn’s disease.
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