Wildlife and paratuberculosis: a review

Carta, T and Alvarez, J and Perez de la Lastra, J M and Gortazar, C

Research in Veterinary Science (2013) 94: 191–197

DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.11.002

Abstract

Paratuberculosis (PTB) is an infectious granulomatous enteritis caused by Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) causing significant economic losses in livestock. However, PTB in free-living and captive wildlife has not been as extensively studied as in livestock. We reviewed the existing literature references on MAP to (i) determine the potential impact of MAP infection in wildlife species; (ii) analyze whether wildlife reservoirs are relevant regarding MAP control in domestic ruminants; (iii) assess the importance of MAP as the cause of potential interferences with tuberculosis diagnosis in wildlife. The mean MAP prevalence reported in wildlife was 2.41% (95% confidence interval 1.76-3.06). Although MAP should be considered an important disease in farmed cervids, its impact on free-ranging species is questionable. MAP reservoirs may exist locally but their significance for PTB control in livestock is quite limited. The most critical aspect derived of MAP infection in wildlife is the interference with tuberculosis diagnosis.

Citation

Carta, T., Alvarez, J., Perez de la Lastra, J. M., & Gortazar, C. (2013). Wildlife and paratuberculosis: a review. Research in Veterinary Science, 94(2), 191–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.11.002 Animals, Deer, Rabbits, Cattle, Domestic, Wild, Ruminants, Disease Reservoirs/veterinary, Paratuberculosis/epidemiology/transmission, World Health

Keywords

• Animals
• Deer
• Rabbits
• Cattle
• Domestic
• Wild
• Ruminants
• Disease Reservoirs/veterinary
• Paratuberculosis/epidemiology/transmission
• World Health