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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The aim of the project, started in September 2004 and with the duration of three years, is the study of Paratuberculosis incidence in sheep herds in one of the best Portuguese cheese production region. Every year producers suffer great economic losses due to the lack of control of the disease in their herds.
Thirteen sheep herds were selected based in clinical signs of paratuberculosis disease. A serological survey by Elisa test, performed in 1220 animals, revealed that 5.6% were positive. Fourteen positive (9.7%) AGID tests, performed so far in 145 animals, were obtained. Post-mortem examination of these 14 animals revealed typical macroscopic lesions of paratuberculosis in all of them. Histophathological analysis showed suspected paratuberculosis microscopic lesions in seven animals.
Bowel tissues with lesions, from the same 14 animals, were cultured in selective media for bacteriological analysis and also for direct detection with the ADIAVET kit. Seven tissue samples processed until now allowed the isolation of six strains, identified as Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis by bacteriologic conventional methods. To start the molecular epidemiological study of paratuberculosis these six strains, and others isolated in the future, will be typed by molecular methods using IS900 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. This molecular approach will allow the detection of sources and routes of infection, essential for disease control. After these preliminary results, we intend to develop methods to rapidly detect Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in milk samples from infected and non infected sheep. With all the field and laboratory information and results gathered, it is our perspective, in three years from now, to have controlled paratuberculosis in sheep herds from Serra da Estrela region, and also to have a safe guaranty for the consumer of Serra da Estrela cheese.
Description
Keywords
Paratuberculosis sheep Portuguese cheese production region Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Serra da Estrela Sheep
Citation
Seixas C, Esteves F, Albuquerque T, Afonso A, Botelho A, Santos C, Vala H, Amado A (2005). Sheep paratuberculosis study in Portugal, Serra da Estrela region (preliminary results). Proceedings of 8th International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis. The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University. Copenhagen, Denmark: 59