Here's an excerpt that describes the clustering they found (only three people, but still warrants further research):
Despite the documented presence of MAP in tap water and its probable growth on tap water pipes, clusters of Crohn's disease have not previously been described in relationship to tap water pipes supplying patients' homes. This report describes three unrelated individuals who lived on the same block along a street in a midwestern American city and developed Crohn's disease within four years of each other in the 1960's. A common tap water pipe supplied their homes. This is the first reported cluster of Crohn's disease possibly linked to fully treated drinking water, and is consistent with previously reported clusters of Crohn's disease linked to an infectious microorganism in water.
The full article can be found here.
As this was the midwest, it is also highly likely they were purchasing their dairy products from the same source as well, which has been documented extensively. Cattle catch Jonh's Disease (sp) and transmit the MAP bacteria via their milk.
ReplyDeleteIn 2003, my son was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and become part of a cluster in our small community. The incidence rate here, at that time, was 10 to 100 times the national average. I have been trying since to get the professional community to follow up on this cluster. It is like pulling teeth. 5 of the boys in the cluster were tested for MAP at the University of Central Florida. All were positive, yet STILL no one here or anywhere else that I have contacted is interested in pursuing this. Totally frustrating! Young people here continue to be diagnosed with Crohn's Disease at an unusual rate.
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing such a valuable information and thanks for sharing this matter.
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