Detection of paratuberculosis in dairy cows from southern Brazil

ABSTRACT: Bovine paratuberculosis causes chronic, incurable diarrhea and weight loss, resulting in decreased cattle production. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. (MAP), an obligate intracellular mycobactin-dependent mycobacterium that replicates slowly the host has heightened environmental resistance. In countries where found damage been quantified, direct indirect economic losses are extremely high. Local epidemiological data of paramount importance for implementation control programs. Our objective was to verify whether present commercial dairy herds different mesoregions RS. Therefore, a prospective, cross-sectional observational study performed on from five RS state, Brazil. Milk samples taken individual cows farms were tested using ELISA tests classified as negative, suspicious, or positive. containing at least one positive cow, we conducted convenience sampling feces directly rectal ampulla identify MAP through PCR. Of 362 tested, 20 seroreactive two mesoregions. PCR all positive; with negative results probably indicate ingested eliminated without causing infection. We likely endemic northwest northeast