Bio-incidence and Bio-type of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in diarrheic dairy cattle and buffaloes of Punjab area in India

Abstract

Dairy cattle and buffaloes (n=101) suffering from chronic diarrhea (>3 weeks) with complete history of duration of diarrhea, systemic effects, body condition and faecal abnormalities were included in this study. Faecal samples, whole blood and rectal biopsies from selected animals were collected for the detection of Mycobacterium avium-subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Faecal smears were prepared and examined for the load of acid fast bacilli (AFB). Acid fast clumps were recorded in 40.6 per cent (41/101) of diarrheic animals and PCR confirmation was made byIS900 primers. MAP was detected in blood samples of four animals (4/41), while faecal samples were positive only in two of these 4 animals. All the four animals had persistent watery diarrhea and progressive loss in body weights and productivity. Rectal biopsies of two animals were positive by PCR. Remission of clinical signs was observed in these animals within 2-months. Biotyping of MAP-DNA from blood samples by IS1311 PCR-REA revealed restriction pattern of 67, 218 and 325 bp suggesting that MAP DNA belonged to ‘Bison type’, which is a major biotype infecting domestic livestock in India.