Invited review: The economic impact and control of paratuberculosis in cattle

Abstract

Paratuberculosis (also called Johne's disease) is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) that affects ruminants and other animals. The epidemiology of paratuberculosis is complex and the clinical manifestations and economic impact of the disease in cattle can be variable depending on factors such as herd management, age, infection dose, and disease prevalence, among others. Additionally, considerable challenges are faced in the control of paratuberculosis in cattle, such as the lack of accurate and reliable diagnostic tests. Nevertheless, efforts are directed toward the control of this disease because it can cause substantial economic losses to the cattle industry mainly due to increased premature culling, replacement costs, decreased milk yield, reduced feed conversion efficiency, fertility problems, reduced slaughter values, and increased susceptibility to other diseases or conditions. The variability and uncertainty surrounding the estimations of paratuberculosis prevalence and impact influence the design, implementation, and efficiency of control programs in diverse areas of the world. This review covers important aspects of the economic impact and control of paratuberculosis, including challenges related to disease detection, estimations of the prevalence and economic effects of the disease, and the implementation of control programs. The control of paratuberculosis can improve animal health and welfare, increase productivity, reduce potential market problems, and increase overall business profitability. The benefits that can derive from the control of paratuberculosis need to be communicated to all industry stakeholders to promote the implementation of control programs. Moreover, if the suspected link between Johne's disease in ruminants and Crohn's disease in humans was established, significant economic losses could be expected, particularly for the dairy industry, making the control of this disease a priority across dairy industries internationally.

Effects of subclinical Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection on some physiological parameters, health status and production in dairy cows

“…The number of treatments was 4.8-fold higher in the MAP+ cows in the first 120 days of lactation. Several studies have demonstrated that chronic mastitis is one of the main causes of early culling of MAP+ dairy cows (Dufour et al, 2004;McSpadden et al, 2013;Garcia and Shalloo, 2015); however, other authors found no correlation between MAP status and SCC (Gonda et al, 2007;Donat et al, 2014b).…”

Economic consequences of paratuberculosis control in dairy cattle: A stochastic modeling study

“…Infection is known to result in lower milk production (Aly et al, 2010; Gonda et al, 2007; Kudahl et al, 2004; Lombard et al, 2005; Nielsen et al, 2009; Raizman et al, 2007; Sorge et al, 2011), decreased reproductive performance (Kennedy et al, 2016; Marcé et al, 2009; Raizman et al, 2007; Smith et al, 2010; Vanleeuwen et al, 2010), and early culling (Lombard et al, 2005; Tiwari et al, 2005). Control of MAP in dairy herds has been difficult, partly due to the poor diagnostic sensitivity of many tests, the resistance of MAP in the environment, difficulties associated with use of available vaccines, and the long course of the disease (Garcia and Shalloo, 2015). Some analyses of the economic impacts of MAP control have found them to be cost-effective (Pillars et al, 2009; Radia et al, 2013), while others have found that MAP control is cost-effective only if testing is subsidized (Groenendaal and Wolf, 2008) or if MAP decreases milk production during latency (Wolf et al, 2014).…”

Pathways and Genes Associated with Immune Dysfunction in Sheep Paratuberculosis

“…This is an enteric disease of ruminants and an endemic problem for livestock worldwide2345. MAP is an intracellular bacterium, typically infecting macrophages of the small intestine, with severe lesions often occurring in the terminal ileum678.…”