Open AccessDetection of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis ‐Specific DNA by PCR in Intestinal Biopsies of Dogs
Author(s) -
Glanemann B.,
Schönenbrücher H.,
Bridger N.,
Abdulmawjood A.,
Neiger R.,
Bülte M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0147.x
Subject(s) - mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis , paratuberculosis , medicine , polymerase chain reaction , enteropathy , inflammatory bowel disease , histopathology , pathology , diarrhea , disease , gastrointestinal disease , gastroenterology , mycobacterium , biology , gene , tuberculosis , biochemistry
Background:Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the cause of paratuberculosis. MAP infections have not been reliably detected in dogs, but a reemerging debate about the link between MAP and Crohn's disease has renewed interest about the occurrence of MAP in pets. Hypothesis: This study was undertaken to examine canine intestinal biopsies for the presence of MAP‐specific DNA. Animals: Forty‐two dogs with chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or both; and 14 dogs with no gastrointestinal disease. Methods: All dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease had a standard work‐up for chronic gastrointestinal disease. Endoscopically obtained intestinal biopsies were submitted for histopathologic and molecular investigations. Biopsies were screened for MAP‐specific DNA by 3 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods (nested, seminested, and triplex real‐time PCR). Samples from control dogs were obtained during necropsy. Results: Histopathology of the biopsies was indicative of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in 17 and neoplasia in 6 dogs. Six dogs showing nonspecific changes responded to diet and were classified as having food‐responsive enteropathy. In 13 dogs a final diagnosis was not established. MAP‐specific DNA was detected and confirmed by sequencing in 8 dogs (19%). These dogs were diagnosed with food‐responsive enteropathy (n = 3), IBD (n = 2), and open diagnosis (n = 3). MAP‐specific DNA was not detected in dogs with no gastrointestinal disease. Conclusions and clinical importance: MAP‐specific DNA was detected in approximately one fifth of dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease and might play a role as a pathogenic agent. Apart from animal welfare, the zoonotic aspect warrants further studies addressing the viability of MAP organism in canine intestinal biopsies by culture.