The OIE Standards Commission had recommended in September 2001 the authorization of the Veterinary Research Institute in Brno as a Reference laboratory for paratuberculosis. The mycobacteriology laboratory has a long experience in research and diagnosis of mycobacterial infections of animals. As paratuberculosis is the main subject of engagement in the department, complexes of methods are used: clinical, microscopic (Ziehl-Neelsen), histological, culture and serological (CF, AGID, ELISA) examinations. Further identification of isolated strains is performed by molecular biology methods (PCR, RFLP). In uncultivable strains of M. paratuberculosis and specimens with paucibacilar infection, nested PCR is used. Specimen comprise blood, milk, semen, faeces and tissue of susceptible animal species including intestinal tissue of Crohn's disease patients. Further samples are collected from larvae and imagoes of dipterous flies, worms, rodents and other small vertebrates for their possible role of being reservoirs or vectors. The laboratory also deals with the exchange of experiences with other laboratories by offering long and short term stay of peer experts and their students from around the world. We have a joint co-operation with other national laboratories for comparative identification and differentiation of strains obtained mainly from different countries of Europe, USA and Australia, by the molecular biology methods. The mycobacteriology laboratory is a Consulting centre for the Czech State Veterinary Administration. Mycobacteriology laboratory solve the projects dealing with paratuberculosis in domestic (cattle, sheep etc.) and wild animals (deer, moufflon etc.) and develop control programs. On an international level the laboratory shares in research projects studying the role of causal agent of paratuberculosis in Crohn's disease patients and in wild animals. The mycobacteriology laboratory participated in the development of electronic information system for FAO Established Veterinary Biotechnology and Epidemiology Network for Central and Eastern Europe (CENTAUR).

Supported by the grant No. MZE-M03-99-01 of the Ministry of Agriculture (Czech Republic).