Association between Mycobacterium Avium Subsp. Paratuberculosis Infection among Offspring and their Dams in Nondomestic Ruminant Species Housed in a Zoo

Abstract

Abstract. The objective of the present study was to determine whether offspring of dams infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) have an increased risk for Map infection. Antemortem and postmortem disease surveillance data were used to identify positive and test-negative ruminants born at the Zoological Society of San Diego (ZSSD) between 1991 and 2007 and to estimate cumulative lifetime incidence. A matched case-control study, nested within the population, was conducted and conditional logistic regression analyses were used to quantify the association between infection status of offspring and their dams. Cases (infected ruminants, n 5 47) were matched to controls (test-negative ruminants, n 5 152) by species, birth date, birth enclosure, and follow-up time to control for confounding factors. The overall cumulative lifetime incidence of infection was estimated at 2.2%, but it decreased over time and varied by species. There was a significant association between infection status of offspring and their dams (odds ratio [OR] 5 6.8, P , 0.01), which is consistent with studies in domestic livestock species. The association was stronger for animals whose dam was diagnosed within 2 years of their birth (OR 5 9.0, P , 0.01) than for animals whose dam was diagnosed more than 2 years after their birth (OR 5 6.0, P , 0.01) compared to animals with test-negative dams. For positive animals born to a positive dam, 85.3% of the Map infections were attributable to having a positive dam. For the entire population of ZSSD ruminants, 36.8% of the cases were attributable to having a positive dam. Findings will help guide future management of Map infection in zoo ruminant populations.

Molecular and Serological Footprints of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies Infections in Zoo Animals

“…Several publications and review articles have addressed the importance of prevention and control of paratuberculosis in zoological gardens, where the disease can threaten the animal collection of exotic and often endangered species [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 20 , 35 , 36 ]. Nevertheless, systematic surveys of MAP infection are scarce and focus mostly on various ruminant species.…”

“…Hence, MAC infection in zoo animals may be of significant relevance in terms of animal welfare and conservation efforts. Indeed, paratuberculosis outbreaks and systematic surveys for infection and disease have been reported for several zoos [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Some of these studies have included investigations in nonruminant species [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis Infection in Zoo Animals: A Review of Susceptibility and Disease Process

“…In addition, MAP was also isolated from pond water on display. A ParaTB surveillance and management program was subsequently established for this zoo and animals were defined as infected whenever MAP was isolated from feces or tissue by culture, or AFB were identified in the lamina propria of the small intestines during post-mortem histology (67).…”

“…The diagnosis of infection based on the isolation from fecal or tissue cultures or the detection of acid-fast organisms during post-mortem histology was reported for many different cervid species in a zoo with a known history of ParaTB in California, USA (66,67). Culture-positive fecal samples have also been reported in another study (76), although such results are insensitive, do not confirm infection and therefore should not be used alone to make ultimate decisions.…”

Paratuberculosis in Captive Scimitar-Horned Oryxes (Oryx dammah)

“…Consequently, disease outbreaks in zoological parks must be taken into account and carefully monitored. Among the infectious agents reported in zoological parks, MAP has been identified in several ruminant and pseudo-ruminant species [7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”