Connor - when you return - MAP questions

Hi UC,

I'm jumping in for Connor.
I got tested by Dr. John Aitken in NZ (humanpara.org) and also by a 2nd lab (I'll look it up later) and tested aggressively positive for MAP.

Canada Mark also tested positive with these labs.

I'm unsure of the answer to the genetic question but both my parents had IBD so I'd say I was predisposed under the right conditions....parasite, dairy, gluten, mom and day. Dr. Aitken is very kind and approachable. He'd know the answer.

The test is run by Otakaro Pathways. Here is their website:
https://www.otakaropathways.co.nz/

Follow the instructions on the testing page. You'll need a doctor or a lab who can take your blood and then Fedex it overnight to the lab. That's right, overnight to NZ.

As to your other question... there's no genetic test for MAP. MAP is everywhere in our environment and most people have it in their blood, which is why there is doubt as to whether or not it causes IBD. However, the Crohn's Map vaccine researchers have figured out that people with Crohn's lack a specific T cell function which lets the body identify invaders within cells, and so they are creating a T cell vaccine to teach the body how to do this.

I believe MAP, like other bacteria, are commensal to some people and pathogenic to others.

The connection between MAP and UC is even less certain. There is not a huge difference between carrier of MAP who have UC and healthy humans who have MAP but no UC. However, if you've tried everything and it hasn't worked, and you test positive for MAP, then it may be worth trying AMAT to see if it improves your UC.

I tried AMAT but couldn't tolerate it. I am currently trying other methods to keep MAP under control without the need for pharmaceutical antibiotics.