10106516Diagnosis of Crohn's disease cases with systemic MAP infections using novel RAPIDvMAP assayClosedLaunchpadInnovate UKRapid-Myco Technologies Limited has developed an innovative technology that offers fast detection of _Mycobacterium avium_ subspecies _paratuberculosis_ (MAP). To date this innovation has been focused on the veterinary sector but due to the link between MAP and Crohns we are looking to use this innovative technology as a means of early diagnosis for MAP infected Crohns patients. Currently 1 in 332 people in the UK are living with Crohns disease. The diease has a significant costs to both the healthcare provider and the individual. The NHS estimates an annual cost of £900MN for Inflammatory Bowel diseases of which Crohns is a key component. Diagnosis, flare ups and treatment of Crohns cost the individual in lost work days and has a social and mental impact. There is currently no one test to diagnose Crohns and confirmation is only achieved through a colonoscopy. A 2022 study led by researchers from St George's University of London, Imperial College London and University College London reviewed 101 studies representing over 100,000 people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis from across the world. This study found that the median time from reporting symptoms to getting a diagnosis was 8 months for Crohn's disease. Timely diagnosis and treatment to control gut inflammation is thought to reduce the risk of complications. Delayed diagnosis is associated with a higher likelihood of stricturing and penetrating disease and and people were two times more likely to need bowel surgery following diagnosis. MAP has long been suspected to be involved in the etiology of Crohns disease. A 2020 study to identify the prescence of infection by MAP in the blood of patients with Crohns disease and control subjects shown by multiple laboratory culture and antibody methods, highlighted viable MAP bacteremia is widespread in the study population including Chrons patients, those with other autoimmune conditions and asymptomatic healthy subjects. Our project intends to further test this link between MAP and Crohns by using our MAP test on existing Crohns patients, newly diagnosed patients, and a control group. Confirmation of this link will offer both a method of faster diagnosis and also a potential treatment option with anti-MAP antibiotics. We are working with Dr Morrisson a Consultant gastroenterologist within Belfast Health & Social Care Trust. He will aid in identifying patients to be part of the study. [][0] [0]: file:///C:/Users/lizda/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/NKO81KGY/Report%20on%20Crohn's%20(003).docx#_ftnref1