The Distribution of Mycobacterium avium Paratuberculosis in the Environment Surrounding Minnesota Dairy Farms

Abstract

Paratuberculosis, or Johne's disease, is a chronic and progressive intestinal disease in ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). The usual route of infection is fecal-oral, with young cattle becoming infected by exposure to infected adults or their environment. The disease becomes manifest in adulthood and results in economic losses due to premature culling, reduced milk production and loss of body weight in cattle sold for slaughter. The bacterium survives for months in extreme environmental conditions. The objectives of this study were to characterize the distribution of MAP in the environment of Minnesota dairy farms and to assess the association between infected dairy herds and their environments.