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.

While the study offers a potential breakthrough, researchers acknowledge limitations, noting that further mechanistic studies are needed to fully understand how the immune reaction triggers Crohn's disease. Nevertheless, the findings offer hope for developing targeted interventions, possibly including a flagellin-directed vaccine, to prevent the condition in high-risk individuals. The incidence of Crohn's disease in children has notably doubled since 1995.