Survival of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in Biofilms on Livestock Watering Trough Materials

Abstract

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis) is the causative agent of Johne's disease, a chronic enteric infection that affects ruminants. Despite the ubiquitous occurrence of Mycobacterium spp in nature, and the fact that Johne's disease has been reported worldwide, little research has been done to assess its survival in agricultural environments. The goal of this study was to evaluate the ability of M. paratuberculosis to become established and persist in biofilms on coupons composed of common livestock watering trough materials.