ARS | Publication request: ONGOING JOHNE'S RESEARCH AT THE NATIONAL ANIMAL DISEASE CENTER

Submitted to: United States Animal Health Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: November 3, 1995
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) is a chronic, progressive enteric disease of ruminants caused by infection with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Clinical disease is characterized by chronic or intermittent diarrhea, emaciation, and death. Further economic losses in affected cattle are caused by reduced milk production and poor reproductive eperformance. Although the economic impact of paratuberculosis on the national cattle industry has not been determined, it is estimated to exceed $1.5 billion/year. Current objectives for research at the NADC are: 1) to develop new and modify existing diagnostic procedures for the detection of subclinical paratuberculosis; 2) determine a possible etiological role for M. paratuberculosis in Crohn's disease in humans and potential exposure to this pathogen through contaminated dairy products; 3) isolate and characterize M. paratuberculosis-specific proteins which can be used as diagnostic tools; and 4) investigate genetic association between resistance/susceptibility to M. paratuberculosis and disease state of the animal.