Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) is a chronic infectious disease in ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP), which is widely distributed throughout the world. Economic losses associated with paratuberculosis due to increased milk production, reduced fertility and premature culling can be high in affected herds (Whitlock, 1996). Cattle slaughtered in Austria in 2002/03 were serologically and bacteriologically tested for the presence of MAP. Animals were chosen in a way to achieve statistically balanced samples from all parts of Austria. Blood serum was analysed using the Svanovir™-ELISA (Svanova Biotech, Uppsala, Sweden). Faeces, lymph nodes and intestinal samples were tested for MAP by Ziehl-Neelsen staining, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial culture. 19% of the samples showed antibodies against MAP. Only four animals were positive for MAP in staining, PCR or culture. In the western part of Austria a higher incidence of antibodies was found than in eastern Austria.Compared with a previous Austrian study of Gasteiner et al. (1999) a highly significant increase in serum antibodies against MAP during the last years in Austria could be seen. This finding shows for the first time the rapid increase of the incidence of paratuberculosis in a middle European country during the last years and indicates a possibly similar development in other areas. Concerning the increasing role of paratuberculosis for the cattle industry and a possible connection to Morbus Crohn in humans, higher efforts are needed in the future to improve the diagnosis and control of MAP in Europe.

References

Gasteiner J, Wenzel H, Fuchs K, Jark U, Baumgartner W, 1999. Serological cross-sectional study of paratuberculosis in cattle in Austria. J Vet Med B 46; 457-466.Whitlock R, 1996. Johne's Disease. In: Smith, B.P. (Ed.): Large Animal Internal Medicine, 899-904. 2nd Ed., Mosby, St Louis, Missouri; 1996.