Epidemiological Study of Bovine Paratuberculosis in Dairy Herds in Southern Nariño, Colombia

Abstract

<em>Introduction</em>: Paratuberculosis (PTB), or Johne’s disease, is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder in domestic and wild ruminants caused by <em>Mycobacterium avium</em> subspecies <em>paratuberculosis</em> (MAP). It is distributed worldwide and generates a high impact on livestock, due to a decrease in production, loss of genetic potential by early replacement of infected animals, and increase in mortality. <em>Objectives</em>: To evaluate the presence of anti-MAP antibodies in dairy farms in southern Nariño and to describe their distribution according to population characteristics. <em>Methods</em>: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 958 cows over 2 years of age in 16 dairy farms. To determine the presence of antibodies, the indirect Elisa diagnostic test was used (Svanova® commercial kit). Seropositivity was associated with variables of race, age, location, body condition, lactation number, and clinical state by using the chi-square test statistic. <em>Results</em>: There were found 15 farms (94%) with at least one positive animal and 77 cows (8%) with anti-MAP antibodies. A significant association (p < 0.05) with the animal’s body condition was established. <em>Conclusions</em>: Cows with anti-MAP antibodies were found in major dairy municipalities it was found that MAP-seroprevalence is not connected to age, race, location and clinical status, but it is linked to body condition.
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Keywords

indirect Elisa
dairy farms
Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP)
paratuberculosis