Epidemiological Study of Bovine Paratuberculosis in Dairy Herds in Southern Nariño, Colombia

• Main Authors: Bibiana Benavides Benavides, Ángela Viviana Arteaga Cadena, Carlos Alberto Montezuma Misnaza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad de La Salle 2015-12-01
• Series: Revista de Medicina Veterinaria
• Subjects: Elisa indirecto; fincas lecheras; Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP); paratuberculosis.
• Online Access: http://revistas.lasalle.edu.co/index.php/mv/article/view/3709
• ISSN: 0122-9354; 2389-8526

Introduction: Paratuberculosis (PTB), or Johne’s disease, is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder in domestic and wild ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). It is distributed worldwide and generates a high impact on livestock, due to a decrease in production, loss of genetic potential by early replacement of infected animals, and increase in mortality. Objectives: To evaluate the presence of anti-MAP antibodies in dairy farms in southern Nariño and to describe their distribution according to population characteristics. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 958 cows over 2 years of age in 16 dairy farms. To determine the presence of antibodies, the indirect Elisa diagnostic test was used (Svanova® commercial kit). Seropositivity was associated with variables of race, age, location, body condition, lactation number, and clinical state by using the chi-square test statistic. Results: There were found 15 farms (94%) with at least one positive animal and 77 cows (8%) with anti-MAP antibodies. A significant association (p < 0.05) with the animal’s body condition was established. Conclusions: Cows with anti-MAP antibodies were found in major dairy municipalities; it was found that MAP-seroprevalence is not connected to age, race, location and clinical status, but it is linked to body condition.