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Management practices associated with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection and the effects of the infection on dairy herds
Author(s) -
Diéguez F. J.,
Arnaiz I.,
Sanjuán M. L.,
Vilar M. J.,
Yus E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.162.19.614
Subject(s) - mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis , paratuberculosis , herd , bulk tank , colostrum , veterinary medicine , incidence (geometry) , mastitis , somatic cell count , mycobacterium , dairy cattle , medicine , biology , zoology , antibody , immunology , ice calving , pregnancy , microbiology and biotechnology , lactation , physics , genetics , optics , tuberculosis , pathology
During 2004, a survey of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis ( map ) was conducted in 101 randomly selected dairy herds to investigate associations between the infection status of the herds, different management practices, and possible disease indicators, such as indices of mastitis and reproductive performance. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire through personal interviews with the farmers and veterinarians in charge of each farm. At the same time, blood samples were taken from cattle over one year old and analysed with a commercial elisa to detect antibodies to map . Statistical analyses indicated that the following management practices constituted major risk factors: utilisation of colostrum from cows with a previous positive map diagnosis, and housing replacement calves with adult cattle before they were six months old. Seropositivity to map was related to the herds' bulk tank somatic cell counts and incidence of clinical mastitis, but not to their reproductive performance.