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| Message from Dr. Chiodini | ||||
In the early 1980's, I was approached by a gastroenterologist by the name of Walter Thayer from Brown University asking if I would attempt to culture mycobacteria from resected intestinal tissues from a patient with Crohn's disease: a young African-American women with acute onset. For no other reason than my inability to say no, I agreed to undertake this effort. Months later, a Mycobacterium spp. resembling M. paratuberculosis was isolated from this patient.
Walter Thayer was jumping up and down with excitement! I was far more reserved and refused to announce our findings. After all, it could have been a fluke, contamination (I was working with M. paratuberculosis at the time), or a host of other explanations. I insisted on more samples and, if I could reproduce those findings, I would have enough confidence to report them. This was the beginning and the original isolate of this organism became commonly known as strain "Linda". It is from this small beginning, and the infamous "Linda", that created the current controversy. Shortly after we reported our findings in a series of articles, there was a great deal of excitement in the gastroenterology field. My results started to be reproduced and reported by others. Entire meetings were organized to specifically address this issue and I had so many speaking engagements that I had to turn them down, lest I stop performing research. But then things changed...
I ask you, what new objective and constructive evidence has been elucidated? Yes, by the use of a variety of techniques, investigators have confirmed my earlier work, but nothing new has really been done. Fifteen years ago it was already established that M. paratuberculosis is associated with some cases of Crohn's disease and showing it again and again does not make it any more true. There is a BIG difference between association and causality, and until causality is directly addressed, the controversy will continue. I share the belief of many that "If it looks like a fish, smells like a fish, it probably is a fish". However, I also recognize that a porpoise looks like a fish, smells like a fish, but isn't a fish. The field needs a good shot of objectivity and that is why I am here today. I have left my farm and my family in Arkansas to deal with this issue and bring a resolution to the controversy I started over 25-years ago. Current research efforts have failed in either establishing or dismissing a causative role of M. paratuberculosis in Crohn's disease. My intent is to bring objectivity and focus back into the field with the goal of either dismissing or establishing a causative role of this agent - this controversy has continued for too long! I am open to notion that the association of M. paratuberculosis and Crohn's disease could be secondary or even incidental. Wherever the cards may fall, it is time to resolve it. If M. paratuberculosis is causally related to some cases, then these patients have undergone 25-years of needless suffering. If it is not causally related, then a great deal of effort and resources are being wasted. Neither of these possibilities should continue. I am looking at a 5-year plan whereby we can bring an end to the controversy by implementing a research plan that addresses causality and not simple association. When I am finished, I will then return to my family and farm. However, my ability to accomplish these goals will be dependent on having sufficient research support to perform the studies necessary to establish causality in an objective, meaningful, and comparative fashion. With such in mind, and in anticipation of financial restraints on the research effort, I personally ask for your assistance and your participation in this endeavor.
If you have an interest in this research effort, either because you are a patient, know a patient, or would just like to help, please join The Crohn's Disease Initiative and, in addition, make a donation to our research effort. Your input, cooperation, and sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.
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