Blood Test Detects Crohn’s Disease Risk Years Before Symptoms Emerge

A blood test detecting antibodies to gut bacteria may predict Crohn’s disease risk years before symptoms appear, offering a potential breakthrough in early intervention.

Researchers found that elevated antibodies to flagellin—a protein in gut bacteria—were present in 36.4% of individuals who later developed Crohn’s disease, based on a study of 381 first-degree relatives of patients. The average time between blood sampling and diagnosis was 2.5 years.

Dr. Ken Croitoru said:

"With all of the advanced biologic therapy we have today, patients' responses are partial at best. We haven't cured anybody yet, and we need to do better."

Dr. Sun-Ho Lee added:

"Confirming our previous study immune response against bacterial flagellins show strong associations with future risk of Crohn’s in healthy first-degree relatives."

The GEM Project, which tracked over 5,000 relatives, identified immune responses to Lachnospiraceae bacteria as a potential early marker. However, the study’s focus on first-degree relatives limits its generalizability, and experts caution further research is needed before clinical application.

Researchers suggest flagellin-targeted vaccines could prevent disease in high-risk individuals, pending validation.

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