03 Apr 2017
2017 MAP Conference | Cross-reactivity of Antibodies Against Microbial Proteins to Human Tissues as a Basis for Crohn’s Disease
Dr. Zhang is a pathologist and co-founder of PZM Diagnostics, a company which is testing the blood from potential Crohn’s patients for the presence of MAP. He details his research here, which includes rarely finding MAP in culture or PCR, but detecting the presence of other bacterial DNA in blood samples. Antibodies to MAP in were found in greater than 70% of patients. Sjogren syndrome antibody levels are discussed as well as cross reaction to human proteins and a proposed mechanism of disease.
The following videos are the questions from the audience after each of the primary presentations from the 2017 MAP Conference. The audio is sometimes unclear, and has been adjusted when possible. Some of the Q&A sessions are included at the end of the speaker’s primary presentation, and are therefore not included here. The Q&A videos below can also be found under each individual speaker’s presentation page. They are compiled in this format for the ease of our viewers.
On my way home from the 2017 MAP Conference in Philadelphia, I had to drive through a tunnel which ran underneath a mountain. Tunnels have always made me a little nervous due the confinement, but I relaxed as I saw daylight coming from a small hole on the other side. As I focused on getting to the light, it occurred to me that this tunnel was a great representation of my journey with Crohn’s disease. For so many years I moved forward through life in the confinement of disease. Darkness was my companion, and I felt alone and different from those around me. But as my body healed on antibiotic therapy, I came back into the light of living a full and joyful life free of chronic disease.
UPDATE: On March 24-25, 2017, MAP researchers and doctors from around the world will gather in Philadelphia, PA to share presentations and discuss how best to advance MAP science. Read the latest update about the Goals of the meeting, Discussion Topics, and Presenters list. Additionally, the latest sponsorship details are announced.