Paratuberculosis and tuberculin tests

Extract

Sir,—In his letter of April, 1964 (p. 38) Dr Tyndel's hypothesis is that, in the case he discusses, most of the reactions to the caudal fold tuberculin test may be as a result of sensitization due to Mycobacterium johnei and supports this by quoting the results of the complement fixation test for paratuberculosis carried out on sera from 25 tuberculin reactors and 25 non-reactors. Of the first 7 caudal fold reactors, 6 were positive to the short thermal test and tuberculosis was found in one of these animals at post-mortem examination.     

Paratuberculosis eradication programs in Northrhine-Westfalia

Since 1993 a voluntary eradication program for bovine paratuberculosis is established in Northrhine-Westfalia. After an effectivity control of the serological diagnostics it is combined with the fecal culture since August of 2000. Parallel use of both methods is necessary for a successful eradication. It could be monitored that a high percentage of the newly bought cattle in the herds participating in the eradication program was considered positive. Since paratuberculosis eradication is time and cost extensive besides intensive eradication programs the spread of the disease must be stopped.     

副结核病诊断技术的研究进展

副结核病是由副结核分枝杆菌引起的慢性增生性肠炎,该病给畜牧业造成很大的损失。由于本病潜伏期长,传播性强,加之人工培养分枝杆菌难度又高,所以对本病的早期诊断就显得尤为重要。本文就目前国内外副结核病的检测技术进行了综述。     

Paratuberculosis in a large goat herd

Paratuberculosis was studied for three years in a large goat herd. Post mortem lesions were seen mainly in the ileum and mesenteric lymph nodes where caseation was often present. In three successive years the annual faecal excretor rate was 15, 9 and 13 per cent despite removal of positives. Faecal culture and an agar gel immunodiffusion test proved useful for detecting the disease in live goats, but complement fixation and tuberculin tests were of less value. The prospects of controlling the disease are discussed.