Introduction

It is well known that Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is highly resistant to physical and chemical factors. There were several studies about survival of MAP in feces, but there is no data about survival in compost. During 21 days, the survival of MAP ATCC 43015 in two composting systems and storage was observed.

Material and methods

Bacterial survival was determined in bioreactor vessel with active ventilation, in compost pile with passive aeration and in the sheep manure alone. During the experiment, bacteria were in direct contact with the composting material and manure. Initially, MAP was introduced into the study mixture and manure in total amount of 2.0 x 10⁶/g. Growth on Herrold's Egg Yolk Medium with supplements followed by PCR IS900 for identification of isolates were used to determine the MAP survival rate. Also direct detection of IS900 in samples with PCR was performed.

Results

MAP was isolated from the bioreactor vessels after 16 hours of the composting process. In the sheep manure, massive contamination was shown even after 24 hours. Specimens from bioreactor vessels showed positive PCR result until day 7, in the compost mass in the open area and in sheep manure until day 21.

Conclusions

Composting method in the bioreactor vessels successfully eradicates Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. We believe that composting of the animal manure can eradicate or at least drastically reduce the number of pathogens and could therefore be used as a preventive measure against microbiological risks caused by animal manure.

Sponsorship

Attendance to this Congress was sponsored by the EU-funded project SSPE-CT-2004-501903