Can a blood test detect Crohn's disease early?

Yes, a new study indicates a blood test can detect markers associated with Crohn's disease years before symptoms develop.

What does the new Crohn's disease blood test measure?

The test measures the immune system's response to flagellin, a protein found in gut bacteria.

Who is researching this new Crohn's disease detection method?

Canadian researchers at the University of Toronto are leading the study on early Crohn's disease detection.

Home / Health / New Blood Test Could Predict Crohn's Years Before Symptoms

New Blood Test Could Predict Crohn's Years Before Symptoms

14 Jan

•

Summary

A simple blood test can detect Crohn's disease years before symptoms appear.
The test measures immune response to gut bacteria protein, flagellin.
Early detection could lead to better prediction, prevention, and treatment.

New Blood Test Could Predict Crohn's Years Before Symptoms

Canadian researchers have developed a promising new blood test capable of detecting Crohn's disease years before its symptoms emerge. The test identifies an elevated immune system response to flagellin, a protein found in gut bacteria. This early indicator suggests the immune reaction may play a crucial role in the disease's development, potentially paving the way for earlier prediction and prevention. The findings were published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

The research, part of the ongoing Genetic, Environmental and Microbial (GEM) Project, analyzed over 381 first-degree relatives of Crohn's patients. A significant portion of those who later developed the disease showed heightened flagellin antibody responses, with the average time from blood sample to diagnosis being nearly two and a half years. This pre-disease immune response is linked to intestinal inflammation and gut barrier dysfunction, hallmarks of Crohn's.