A possible etiologic role for mycobacteria in Crohn's disease has been the
subject of much investigation, This paper critically reviews the literature
exploring 4 major areas: (1) attempts to culture mycobacteria from intesti
nal specimens; (2) indirect detection of organisms in intestinal specimens
by techniques including immunohistochemistry, nucleic acid hybridization an
d polymerase chain reaction; (3) detection of serum antibodies to mycobacte
ria, and (4) results of antimycobacterial drug trials in treating patients
with Crohn's disease, While the evidence does not support an etiologic role
for mycobacteria in Crohn's disease, newer techniques may change this conc
lusion.