Validation of an in-house real-time PCR fecal assay and comparison with two commercial assays for the antemortem detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection in culled sheep.

ABSTRACT: Paratuberculosis is a chronic infectious enteritis of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). In sheep, the antemortem detection of the infection is challenging given the slow progression of the disease and the lack of sensitive, specific, and cost-effective validated tests. We adapted an in-house real-time PCR (rtPCR) assay targeting the multi-copy IS 900 element of MAP. The sensitivity and specificity of this essay for the detection of MAP infection were estimated in a convenience sample of culled ewes from 7 infected flocks and compared to a commercial fecal rtPCR, a commercial ELISA, and fecal culture. An infected ewe was defined as a ewe with a positive culture of the ileum and/or mesenteric lymph node. A non-infected ewe was defined as a ewe negative in

SUBMITTER: Arsenault J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6505751 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature