Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two distinct diseases: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Because the former can occur anywhere in localized sites in the GIT, from the mouth to the anus, the term ‘regional enteritis’ has been used.
The causes of both CD and UC are unknown. Infective, immunological, dietary and psychosomatic causes have been suggested, but until recently there has been no evidence for any of these.
A possible association has been found with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, measles and mumps infections: children who contract both of the latter in the same year appear to be up to seven times more likely to develop IBD some 20 years later.
A causal link has not been demonstrated, but there is ongoing research into the association between M. paratuberculosis and measles.
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