Detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in kidney samples of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Portugal: Evaluation of different methods.

Paratuberculosis or Johne's disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), is a chronic granulomatous enteritis affecting both domestic and wild ruminants. The present work is part of a wider set of studies designed to assess the prevalence of paratuberculosis in free ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus). With that purpose, 877 free-ranging red deer legally hunted in the Centre-eastern Portugal were submitted to necropsy and sampled for molecular methods, microbiology and histopathology. Thirty-seven (4.2%) kidneys revealed acid-fast bacilli when screened with the Ziehl-Neelsen technique. Map was detected by IS900 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in thirty (81.1%) of the Ziehl-Neelsen positive kidneys. Subsequent PCR and/or culture from the different organs of the 37 examined animals allowed us to detect 86.4% (32 animals) infected red deer. Our results suggest that renal involvement in Map infected deer may be underdiagnosed and thus the routine examination of this organ and its inclusion in PCR techniques designed for Map detection could substantially improve the diagnostic of paratuberculosis in red deer.

Granuloma Coinfection with Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in Five Hunted Red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Portugal.

We report granulomatous lymphadenitis in red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Portugal caused by coinfection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, as demonstrated by molecular methods.

A seroepidemiological survey of mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in sheep from North of Portugal / Rastreio seroepidemiológico de mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis em ovinos no Norte de Portugal

The aim of this study was evaluate the risk factors for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) seroprevalence in sheep in the North of Portugal. The effects on seroprevalence of several variables such as individual characteristics, management practices, farm characteristics, animal health, and available veterinary services were evaluated. This information was then used in a multivariable logistic regression model in order to identify risk factors for Map seropositivity. Univariable analysis was used to screen the variables used in the logistic regression model. Variables that showed p values of <0.15 were retained for the multivariable analysis. Fifteen variables were associated with paratuberculosis in univariable analysis. The multivariable logistic regression model identified a number of variables as risk factors for seropositivity like sheep pure local and/or a cross of a local breed (OR=2.02), herd size with 31-60 head (OR=2.14), culling during the Spring-Summer season (OR=1.69) and the use of an anti-parasitic treatment such as Ivermectin as the only anti-parasitic medication (OR=5.60). Potential risk factors identified in this study support current recommendations for the control of paratuberculosis.

Neste trabalho efectuou-se o estudo dos factores associados à seroprevalência da infecção ovina por Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map). Foram investigadas variáveis como as características individuais, práticas de maneio, características da granja, saúde animal e intervenções de sanidade efectuadas no animal. A análise multivariada de regressão logística foi usada para identificar estes factores associados com a seroprevalência da infecção. De acordo com os resultados da análise univariada associaram-se, com o resultado positivo à infecção (p<0,15), 15 variáveis. Após a aplicação do modelo de análise multivariada encontraram-se quatro factores de risco com significância estatística: rebanhos de raças autóctones e seus cruzamentos (OR=2,02); tamanho do efectivo entre 31-60 animais (OR=2,14); época de abate na Primavera-Verão (OR=1,69); uso de ivermectina como único antiparasitário (OR=5,60). Os potenciais factores de risco identificados neste estudo suportam as recomendações currentes para o controlo da paratuberculose.