Identification of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in sheep farms in Bayannaoer, Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract

Background Paratuberculosis, is a widespread chronic infection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), causes significant economic losses to the sheep industry. The current study investigated this disease, which causes diarrhea in sheep, particularly, in Bayannaoer, Inner Mongolia. Diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms, pathological autopsy, histopathological inspection, and serological and molecular methods. Results Paratuberculosis was confirmed via a polymerase chain reaction using DNA extracted from tissue and fecal samples. Serum samples from 472 individual sheep were obtained to detect antibodies against MAP by ELISA test and MAP antibodies were separately detected in 17.86% (35/196) and 18.48% (51/276) of sheep herds at 6 months and 1 years of age respectively. The results of tissue lesion and pathological section were consistent with paratuberculosis infection. Conclusions This is the first report of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis seroprevalence in Bayannaoer sheep in Inner Mongolia. Our findings show that MAP was prevalent and potentially threaten in this region and more further investigations on long-term epidemiological