The infection status of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis in traditional dairy cattle farms in Moghan region

Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis is the causative agent of John's disease which is a remedial chronic disease in all ruminants and is important from economical viewpoint. In this study, a total of 86 fecal samples from suspected dairy cattle were obtained from 11 traditional dairy farms in Moghan region. All samples were evaluated by direct microscopic examination. Subsequently, milk sample of the related cattle were tested by PCR technique. Twenty samples from positive and 10 specimens of negative samples in direct microscopic assay were selected randomly for PCR examination. Among the 86 samples, 51 (59%) samples were positive, while, 35 (41%) samples were found as negative by microscopic assay. From 20 positive samples, 19 (95%) samples showed positive result by PCR, however, among negative samples, 3 (30%) samples were positive in PCR assay. Results revealed that there is a direct relation between contamination of fecal and milk samples. Moreover, due to the correlation between the results of microscopic examination of fecal samples and PCR assay of milk specimens, direct microscopic evaluation of feces could be performed prior to PCR-based detection of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis in milk samples. According to the results, high contamination rate of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis was found in milk samples. On the other hand, duo to possible etiological role of this bacterium in the development of Crohn’s diseases in human, it should be considered as a serious concern indeed.