I was very lucky to attend the 12th International Colloquium of Paratuberculosis in Parma, Italy last week and to see my father, Prof. Hermon-Taylor, receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the field of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) and Crohn’s Disease.

Live MAP in Infant Formula

There were many interesting presentations from research groups across the world. Perhaps the most sinister report was that on the detection of live MAP in Infant Formula. Scientists from the University of Wisconsin together with Queen’s University, Belfast tested 68 samples of powdered Infant Formula from 18 countries, including 40 brands. 44% (30/68) tested positive for live MAP. Although these findings require further validation, they serve to highlight how important it is that we do not ignore the compelling evidence that MAP causes Crohn’s disease. It is imperative that we resolve this issue, once and for all, by funding a trial of the vaccine that could both prevent and cure this disease.

 

JHT.icp