Montreal, Canada – The team of Dr. Behr of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center is on the track of finding an explanation for Crohn’s disease, chronic inflammatory disease of the entire digestive tract.

A genetic mutation and a certain type of mycobacterium would predispose with Crohn’s disease. Indeed, 25% of patients have a mutation in the NOD2 gene. This gene has the function to recognize the bacteria and “launching a signal of combat” against them.

The study of Dr. Behr shows that NOD2 recognizes a molecule preferentially after a mycobacterium. When the mycobacterium infects the body, it causes an immediate and very strong immunizing response by receiver NOD2.

For Dr. Behr, the discovery of the normal role of NOD2 can make the hypothesis of a mutation that prevents it from properly recognizing mycobacteria. If they are not recognized, then they are not effectively combated by the immune system and infect the body so persistent.

If the link between mycobacteria and Crohn’s disease was already known to science, the cause or consequence was not yet drawn up. Further research should be done to complete the explanation, or even develop new therapeutic approaches against this disease.