Case report

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in three generations of beef cattle

Authors

  • Julia M. Smith Department of Animal Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405
  • Robert H. Whitlock New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA 19348

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol46no1p32-35

Keywords:

pathology-gastrointestinal tract, herd health, beef cattle, mycobacteria, Johne's disease, beef cows, calves, case reports, cows, diagnosis, diagnostic techniques, disease transmission, faecal examination, generations, paratuberculosis, postmortem examinations, vertical transmission

Abstract

Diagnostic specimens collected postmortem from a seven-month-old, 275 lb (125 kg), unweaned, emaciated Blonde bull calf born to a Johne's-infected dam confirmed infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). This case represents the third generation in one line of cattle to be infected with MAP. Transmission of infection from dam to calf is an important means of sustaining Johne's disease in cow-calf herds. Not all submitted tissue samples cultured positive for MAP, illustrating the need to submit an adequate number of samples from appropriate locations to make a positive diagnosis. Positive cultures from composite environmental samples coincided with the presence of the clinically-affected dam of this calf.

Cover image of Volume 46, No.1 of the Bovine Practitioner: a photo of a herd of cattle being herded by a man on a palomino horse across a field in Florida. Photo provided courtesy of Deseret Cattle and Citrus, St. Cloud, Florida.

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Published

2012-05-31

Issue

Vol. 46, No. 1 (2012 Spring)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Case report: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in three generations of beef cattle. (2012). The Bovine Practitioner, 46(1), 32-35. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol46no1p32-35

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