We investigated the presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in retail cheeses from Greece and the Czech Republic. We found that 31.7% and 3.6% of our samples reacted positive by PCR and culture, respectively. Consumption of these cheeses is likely to result in human exposure to M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, albeit at a low level for viable cells.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (Maa) is an intracellular pathogen belonging to the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC). Reservoirs of MAC are the natural environment, wildlife and domestic animals. In adult bovine, MAC infections are typically caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map). Maa infections in bovine are rarely reported but may cause clinical disease a...

We here describe the identification and characterization of three novel secreted Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis antigens of 9, 15 and 34 kDa (Map2609, Map2942c and Map0210c, respectively) by screening a genomic expression library with a serum of a naturally infected clinical cow. The 9, 15 and 34 kDa antigens display strong homology to previously described M. tuberculosis antigens,...

The National Johne’s Demonstration Herd Project (NJDDHP) in the United States was initiated to evaluate the long-term feasibility and effectiveness of management-related practices designed to control Johne’s disease on dairy and beef cattle operations. The NJDDHP began in 2003 and includes 62 dairy herds and 20 beef herds in 17 states. All herds began with culture-confirmed Mycobacterium avium ...

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is genetically similar to other members of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), some of which are nonpathogenic and widespread in the environment. We have utilized an M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis whole-genome microarray representing over 95% of the predicted coding sequences to examine the genetic conservation among 10 M. avium subsp. paratuberc...

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) causes Johne's disease in animals and is significantly associated with Crohn's disease (CD) in humans. Our previous studies have shown Map to be present in U.K. rivers due to land deposition from chronic livestock infection and runoff driven by rainfall. The epidemiology of CD in Cardiff showed a significant association with the River Taff, ...

In the present study, two methods of DNA isolation-routine, traditional and standard DNA isolation protocol for Mycobacteria (Method 1) and a new non-chemicals and non-enzymes (physical) method (Method 2) of DNA recovery have been compared and evaluated in IS900 PCR for the specific detection of pathogen. Using the new Method 2, DNA has been recovered from few (1 - 3 colonies), extremely minute...

The objective of this paper is to study shedding patterns of cows infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). While multiple single farm studies of MAP dynamics were reported, there is not large scale meta-analysis of both natural and experimental infections. Large difference in shedding patterns between experimentally and naturally infected cows were observed. Experimental...