Burrill Bernard Crohn Burrill Bernard Crohn Burrill Bernard Crohn (June 13, 1884 – July 29, 1983) was an American gastroenterologist and made the first major advance to identify the disease that now bears his name. Although the description of Crohn's disease is by far his most famous accomplishment, Crohn had a long career both as a clinician, and as a researcher who contributed to modern understanding of many gastrointestinal conditions. Crohn received his bachelor's degree from City College of New York in 1902. He received a medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1907. Crohn first became an intern
Burrill Bernard Crohn that it was caused by the same pathogen, a bacterium called "Mycobacterium paratuberculosis" (MAP), responsible for the similar condition that afflicts cattle called Johne's disease. However, he was unable to isolate the pathogen—most likely because "M. paratuberculosis" sheds its cellular wall in humans and takes the form of a spheroplast, making it virtually undetectable under an optical microscope. This theory has resurfaced in recent years, and has been lent more credence with the arrival of more sophisticated methods of identifying MAP bacteria. Crohn noted that it can be difficult for physicians to correctly differentiate neuroses from diseases of the organs.