Genetic Variation of Susceptibility to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Infection in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Paratuberculosis is an infectious disease that is not easily amenable to classical control methods such as treatment and vaccination. Experimental animal models suggest that there could be genetic factors responsible for susceptibility or resistance to infection with the causative agent, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic variation in susceptibility to paratuberculosis in Dutch dairy cattle. Data collected during a vaccination trial, conducted from 1984 to 1994, was used. A total of 3020 cows, with complete pedigree records and infection status at slaughter, were available for analysis. A standard polygenic statistical probit model was used to estimate heritabilities. The estimated heritability of susceptibility to M. avium. subsp. paratuberculosis infection was 0.06 for the overall population. In the subpopulation of vaccinated animals the estimated heritability was 0.09. Other calculations based on the model used in this study argue against a prominent role for vertical transmission. Because the establishment of genetic variation is one of the first steps towards the exploration of the possible use of selection for genetic improvement, the present study provides evidence for the presence of genetic variation in the susceptibility of cattle to paratuberculosis. Because the economic impact of the disease is substantial, the development and application of genetic tools, along with other control methods, could be instrumental in the eradication of paratuberculosis.

Experimental challenge models for Johne's disease: A review and proposed international guidelines

“…Variable breed or strain resistance to mycobacterial infection has been well described in mice (see Section 7.1, murine models). Genetic resistance has also been described in cattle (Koets et al, 2000;Mortensen et al, 2004) and red deer (Mackintosh et al, 2000), but not in goats and sheep. Breed or strain of animal should be specified in the event that an associated resistance might exist.…”

Susceptibility to paratuberculosis infection in cattle is associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms in Toll-like receptor 2 which modulate immune responses against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis

“…While in mice and humans several genes involved in resistance to mycobacterial infections have been studied in detail, the data regarding cattle are scarce. Koets et al (2000) indicated the presence of genetic variation in the susceptibility to paratuberculosis. Recent studies point to various chromosome regions or quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with paratuberculosis (Gonda et al, 2006(Gonda et al, , 2007.…”

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in powdered infant milk: paratuberculosis in cattle - the public health problem to be solved

“…If the disease is not efficiently controlled it is guaranteed to spread MAP to most animals in the herd, although the genetic influences in the susceptibility of cattle to paratuberculosis have been reported (Koets et al, 2000). Subsequently, as a result of different stress factors e.g.…”