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Epidemiology and Management Strategies of Johne’s disease in Endemic Situations

Muhammad Tanveer Munir¹, Anum Rafia Munir², Murtaz ul Hasan¹, Muhammad Abubakar^3*

*Corresponding author:mabnvl@gmail.com

ARTICLE CITATION: Munir MT, Munir AR, Murtaz ul Hassan, Abubakar M (2014). Epidemiology, diagnosis and control options of johne’s disease in endemic situations. Res. J. Vet. Pract. 2 (5): 84 – 90.
Received: 2014–05–12, Revised: 2014–05–31, Accepted: 2014–05–31
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at ( http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/journal.rjvp/2014/2.5.84.90 ) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis the subspecies of M. avium, effects wide range of animals including domestic cattle, sheep, goats, buffaloes, camelids and wild ruminants resulting in progressive and chronic enteritis known as Johne’s disease (paratuberculosis). Clinically sick animals show emaciation, diarrhea and eventually death but the risk is that mostly they don’t show clinical sign still can shed bacteria in feces and milk. Organism spread in the animal body through blood and lymph nodes to multiple internal organs. It is economically very important disease in livestock because effected livestock is recommended to be culled due to high treatment costs. Etiology, host range, immunology, epidemiology, stages/ forms, clinical signs, diagnostic tools and treatment have been discussed with special reference to endemic situations. Strategies to control this disease include improved management practices, testing and culling and vaccination. Modifications in management practices is not an easy job and so is the case with testing and culling; vaccine on the other hand is the simple practice but it is not usually practiced by farmers because lack of knowledge/awareness in herdsmen and availability of vaccine.

INTRODUCTION

Johne’s disease (paratuberculosis) is a wasting, chronic granulomatous enteritis (Rosseels and Huygen, 2008) affecting domestic cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, camels, wild ruminants, some mono–gastric animals and birds (Beard et al., 2001; Bennett et al., 2012). Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, the causative agent of paratuberculosis or Johne’s disease (JD) is a subspecies of Mycobacterium avium, Gram positive, slow growing acid fast bacillus (Gwozdz, 2010; Ayele et al., 2001). After first report of JD in 1895, this organism was isolated in 1910 (Twort, 1910). Strains of this microbe are: I (sheep), II (cattle) and III (intermittent) (Gwozdz, 2010). This progressive and chronic infection is mostly unresponsive to treatment (Ansari et al., 2013).

Affected animals have normal appetite but are weak, diarrhea (bubbly and greenish) is evident in some species and eventually death occurs (Gwozdz, 2010). Effected animals shed organism in milk and feces, following ingestion, this organism spread through blood and lymph vessels affecting visceral organs including male and female reproductive organs (Ayele et al., 2001). Economic effect of disease is considerable as there are losses to livestock industry. Relation of JD with Crohn’s, juvenile sarcoidosis (Blau syndrome), autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune diabetes, and multiple sclerosis have caused important issue of public safety (Dow, 2012).

This article tends to review the epidemiology and diagnosis of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in endemic regions along with adopted control strategies and possible preventive measures in national and international scenario.

Epidemiology
The disease has been reported worldwide and is becoming more common, increasing range of animal species (Vansnick, 2004); but still there are parts of world where it is not endemic (Okuni, 2013). Some Australian states and Sweden are proven to be free of this disease. In ruminants, dairy cattle are most prone to disease; in USA herd prevalence has been reported 91.1% (Lombard et al., 2013), in Chile 28–100% (Kruze et al., 2013).

Co–infection of paratuberculosis with other diseases has been reported, e.g., brucellosis (Singh et al., 2013a). Prevalence of Johne’s disease in goats has been reported from all over the world with prevalence of 7.9% in Republic of Cyprus (Liapi et al., 2011), 76.9% USA (Manning et al., 2002), 74.3%Chile (Salgado et al., 2007), 62.9% France (Mercier et al., 2010), 79.4 %India (Singh et al., 2013) and 44.1% Argentina (Fiorentino et al., 2012).

There are many reports of paratuberculosis from Pakistan. Sikandar et al., (2011) reported 11.19% (Cattle: 6.67%, Buffaloes: 12.5%) confirmed cases for paratuberculosis in 134 suspected samples. It has also been seen in ovine species (Sikandar et al., 2013). Abbas et al. (2011) tested samples in 3 semen production units in Punjab, Pakistan and found almost 20% positive breeding bulls and almost 33 % positive teaser bulls.

Host Species
Mycobacterium avian sub-specie paratuberculosis (MAP) effect wide range of animals mostly ruminants. Cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats are the most effected specie of domestic animals (Rosseels and Huygen, 2008; Singh et al., 2013; Khan et al., 2010). In wild animals almost all ruminants get infected including giraffe, deer (de Lisle and Collins 1995) and wild goats. Camels are also prone to this disease (Al–Ghamdi, 2013). In non–ruminants it have seen to cause disease in horse, badgers, bears, rabbit (Greiget al.,1999), cats, armadillos, opossums, mouse, rats, macaques, stoats, pigs, weasels, crow and fox (Beard et al., 2001; Hutchings et al., 2010). Johne’s disease have got attention due to relation with Crohn’s disease (Behr and Kapur, 2008; Over et al., 2011; Ayele et al., 2001). Calves get infection in their early six months of age or in–utero. Young animals are more susceptible, most probably because they have immature cellular immunity. Age relation with MP infestation has been proven in some studies (Windsor and Whittington, 2010; Thakur et al., 2013).

Transmission
Mycobacterium paratuberculosis is a contagious infection. Affected animals shed organism in feces and milk (Hines et al., 2007; Seyyedin et al., 2010; Hasonova et al., 2009). Contaminated food, water sources, vehicles and other equipment may be a source of transmission from one herd to other. Male animals may carry MP in accessory reproductive organs and to some extent in semen. Embryo from infected animals may carry infection and will transmit it when transplanted in other animals. Calves may get infected by the colostrums they getting from effected cow (Stabel, 2008); calves have been reported to shed microbe in feces at 5 months of age (Hasonova et al., 2009). Humans may get MP from raw milk, meat and contact with animals (Eltholth et al., 2009; Alluwaimi, 2007).

Immunology
Mycobacterium paratuberculosis is an intracellular pathogen. Following the infection the body responds by opposing it with T helper 1 (Th1) (Wu et al., 2007; Wadhwa et al., 2013) that produce interferon gamma and IgG2 (Nielsen, 2008; Begg et al., 2011). In later stages of infection Th2 (humoral) response (Wadhwa et al., 2013) may be present but it doesn’t prove sufficient to check infection (Stabel, 2000). Lybeck et al., (2011) reported shedding of MP in feces in effected goats before interferon gamma which usually preceded humoral immune response.

Stages and Forms
In cattle, paratuberculosis is classified into three stages I (early infection), II (subclinical), and III (clinical) (Wadhwa et al., 2013). At stage I, infection progresses without shedding adequate bacteria in feces. In stage II, the number of bacteria increases in intestinal mucosa and fecal shedding is intermittent. At stage III, which is a terminal stage bacterial load increases and clinical signs appear; animal suffer from chronic diarrhea, weight loss decreased production and anemia (Vansnick, 2004).

Clinical Signs
As paratuberculosis is a chronic disease so, mild and progressive signs are seen in animals. Milk production decreases in all lactating animals and body condition becomes poor. Weight loss and emaciation becomes evident depending upon stage of infection. Diarrhea is reported in some animals that is intermittent at initial stages but tend to persist in later stages. Reduced ruminal motility is also reported in effected goats (Lybeck et al., 2011)

Blood Parameters
Lybeck et al., (2011) reported decrease in hematochrit, hemoglobin and albumin levels in effected goats. Almujalli and Al–Ghamdi (2012) reported increase in creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, magnesium, AST and ALT in diseased camels.

Pathology
In early stages of disease, lesions may not be evident but in clinical cases they can be seen. Lybeck et al., (2011) reported lesions in goats affected with MAP; enlargement of lymph nodes in jejunum was evident with yellowish necrotic foci on cortex. Enteritis is usually seen with ulcerated intestinal mucosa and MAP can be isolated from lesions in intestine and draining lymph nodes of clinically effected animals. Lesions in intestine are seen in jejunum and extend to rectum in advanced stages of disease. Edema and fluid may be found in body cavities. Histopathological examinations exhibit diffused granulomatous enteritis, accumulation of epithelioid giant cells and macrophage in submucosa and mucosa of intestine (Almujalli and Al–Ghamdi, 2012).

Diagnosis
Detection and diagnosis of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis is difficult due to long incubation period (4 months to 15 years) and other reason is the lack of accurate tests which can predict the infection (Nielsen, 2008). Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, postmortem lesions, histopathology and diagnostic tests including direct test e.g. fecal smears, fecal culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and indirect tests e.g. delayed–type hypersensitivity (DTH), interferon Assay, enzyme linked immuno–sorbent assay (ELISA), agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), complement fixation test (CFT). Differential diagnosis includes kidney failure, gastrointestinal parasitism, renal amyloidosis, peritonitis, chronic salmonellosis, lymphosarcoma and other chronic infectious diseases, copper deficiency and starvation.

DIRECT TESTS

Fecal Smears
As the diseased animals shed pathogen in feces so they can be observed in feces or in pathological lesions from intestine. It is the simple and easy method for detection of etiological agent. Acid fast stain i.e. Ziel–Nelson or Wright's stain is used to highlight the pathogen in smear and observations under oil immersion (X 1000) are positive when clumps of 3–4 acid fast MAP are seen (Manning and Collins, 2001). Sensitivity of this test is very low if used in preclinical stages of paratuberculosis but it is helpful when clinical phase starts (Ansari et al., 2013).

Fecal Culturing
First isolation of MAP was reported in 1910 (Twort, 1910) and complete method of isolation was described in 1912 (Twort and Ingram, 1912). Many authorities consider it most specific and sensitive method of MAP detection. Initially MAP has been grown on egg based medium ( Twort, 1910; Twort and Ingram, 1912), then egg yolk was used instead of whole egg because egg white retard microbial growth (Herrold, 1931), but later antiformin and malachite green were used for decontamination.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
It is better and advanced technique (Chaudhary et al., 2009) able to detect MAP and distinguish it from other species and subspecies of Mycobacteria. IS900 and IS901 insertion element is considered unique to MAP and can be used in a PCR gene amplification technique for diagnosis (Slana et al., 2009). Detection limit of PCR in MAP cases is 104 organisms/gm, it is also a limitation of its use. Addition of pretreatment of fecal sample using silica membrane mini–columns and magnetic particles can enhance the detection rate of MAP by PCR (Sting et al., 2014).

INDIRECT TESTS

Detection of Antibodies
Detection of serum antibodies seems to be satisfactory method for screening at mass level but there are many problems related with the detection of antibodies against MAP and its interpretation. Antibodies against paratuberculosis are lately formed because it is a chronic disease and have long incubation period and they are difficult to be detected in preclinical stage sometimes even at clinical stages animal fails to develop antibodies against MAP. Cross reactivity of MAP with other organisms can make antibody interpretation difficult.

Enzyme Linked Immuno–Sorbent Assay (ELISA)
It is considered as a standard procedure of detecting antibodies for MAP cases in cattle (Gupta et al., 2012). Sensitivity of ELISA in present condition changes from low (where minor shedding is present) to high (clinical stage is reached); so we can say that sensitivity of ELISA in MAP case increases with disease progression (Donat et al., 2014). This method can also detect antibodies in milk and blood (Gupta et al., 2012; Collins et al., 2005).

Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) Test
This test is based on descriptions of precipitation lines formed between antigen used and serum samples. This test is economical and mostly reliable in small ruminants. AGID test in unsatisfactory for subclinical cases due to low specificity and sensitivity (Ferreira et al, 2002), but it gives reliable results in clinical cases (Mohan et al., 2013; Robbe–Austerman et al., 2006).

Complement Fixation Test (CFT)
This test can be used for mass screening of infected animals but interpretation is reliable only at clinical stage (kaba et al., 2008; Slana et al., 2008). Many types of antigens and protocols are being practiced in different countries and laboratories so elucidation of results lacks clarity.

Flow Cytometry Method (FCM)
This method is capable of distinguishing MAP–infected from MAP–non–infected cattle as well as MAP from M. avium subsp. Avium and M. scrofulaceum (Eda et al., 2005). The FCM assay is rapid (completed in less than 4 hours), technically easy and can be automated for handling large numbers of samples (Eda et al., 2005).

Interferon–∂Assay
This method is successfully used for detection of cytokines for the indication of CMI to check exposure of animal to MAP (Nielsen and Toft, 2008). Buffy coat (leukocytes) is collected from heparinized blood and exposed to antigen to measure CMI by the release of gamma interferon (Manning and Collins, 2001). This test shows low sensitivity when used to detect infection in a herd with mixed infection of tuberculosis and paratuberculosis (A´lvarez, et al., 2009; A´lvarez, et al., 2008).

Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) Reaction
This is a similar test performed in animals for detection of tuberculosis. Delayed type hypersensitivity is measured by injecting intradermal antigens (Johnin or Avian purified protein derivative) in skin to detect cell mediated immunity (CMI). Reaction is allowed to occur and after 72 hours thickness of 2mm will give the indication of positive result (Robbe–Austerman et al., 2006; Manning and Collins, 2001). This is not reliable because MAP antigens are already present in environment (Whittington et al., 2003).

Treatment
There is no treatment for JD to give satisfactory results. Combination of different drugs has been practiced as treatment measure, mostly with isoniazid, clofazimine and rifampin (Borody et al., 2007; St–Jean and Jernigan, 1991). Monensin is also used with the aim of prevention in calves and to reduce shedding in cattle (Fecteau and Whitlock, 2011). Click (2011) concluded from an experiment that Dietzia prebiotic can successfully treat the bovine paratuberculosis and can prevent JD development in MAP infected calves. Recently, lactic acid bacteria (LABATCC 334) have been used as probiotics for treatment of experimentally induced JD in mice (Cooney et al., 2014).

Economic Impact
Paratuberculosis results in economic losses that are primarily associated with decreased milk production, decreased weaning weights in young calves, increased replacement costs, decreased slaughter value (Lombard, 2011) and early culling (Vázquez et al., 2012; Hasnova and Pavlik, 2006). Economic losses to dairy industry are significant (Lu et al., 2013a; Hasnova and Pavlik, 2006; Vidić et al., 2013); estimated losses to US dairy industry cost $200–250 million annually (Cho et al., 2012; Ottet et al., 1999). Pillars et al. (2009) reported averaged $79/cow/year with a median of $66/cow/year annual losses due to paratuberculosis. Raizman et al. (2009) reported less milk production in JD positive cows Indirect economic loss related with JD is trade restriction.

Control Strategies
Countries in different regions of world adopt different control strategies for Johne’s disease depending upon the epidemiology. Basic focus of control strategies is management modification, test, culling and vaccination (Bastida and Juste, 2011; Cho et al., 2012; Al–Ghamdi, 2013; Khol and Baumgartner, 2012; Bennett et al., 2012). Pillars et al. (2009) reported that implementation of JD control programs cost average $30/cow/year (median of $24/cow/year). While, annual losses due to JD averaged $79/cow/year (median of $66/cow/year). This study clearly showed that investment in JD control program is cost effective.

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Newborn and Young Stock Management
Calf rearing practices has been proved to be very helpful for JD control (Ridge et al., 2010). JD infests animals at younger age so they should be kept under proper management practices. Parturition should be in clean and manure free area to avoid contact of newborn at early with MAP. Calves should be kept in separate pens to avoid contact with adults possibly carrying MAP (Al–Ghamdi, 2013).

Reproductive Management
Semen may contain MAP having potential of transmitting and causing disease to inseminated animals and newborns. So breeding bulls should be tested for MAP and semen samples must undergo laboratory examination. Periparturient period management is also an important task to be considered to avoid transmission of MAP from dam to calf. Radia et al., (2013) investigated the impact of specific peri–parturient management practices on within–herd. They concluded that management practices aiming to limit the fecal–oral transmission are effective than aiming to limit MAP transmission via colostrums and milk.

Disinfection of Area (Hygiene)
Better hygienic practices in farm management help to control JD (Mohan et al., 2013). MAP can survive many disinfectants exposure, but 5% formalin, 2% calcium hypo–chloride and 2.5% phenol can kill the pathogen. Presence of organic matter may reduce effectiveness of disinfectant and detergents can be used on feces to allow penetration by disinfectants.

Manure Handling
Manure may harbor the MAP (Seyyedin, 2008). Good manure management and disposal techniques are also important. Manure build–up should be prevented, and surfaces should be kept clean (Ayele et al., 2001). Grewal et al., (2006) observed that thermophilic composting is more effective than pack storage in reducing MAP in dairy manure in pathogen sensitive environments.

Cross Specie Transmission
Cross–species transmission of the MAP strains can occur, but seems to be relatively uncommon (Sohal et al., 2010). Therefore, the greatest risk of infection for cattle appears to be from other cattle, and for sheep from other sheep.

Quarantine the New Animals
Farmers with uninfected herds should buy replacement animals from test–negative herds with good records and management practices. All animals should be quarantined and tested before mixing them to the herd.

Farmer Awareness about Disease
Farmers must be educated about the benefits of JD control program and losses related with paratuberculosis; such practices have helped to lower the prevalence of disease (Nielsen, 2007; Carter, 2012).

Grazing and Water Management
Animals shed plenty of MAP on grazing area in feces that is a potential source of disease transmission. Effected pastures should be reseeded and preferably not used for grazing by unaffected animals because MAP may persist on grass and soil for 1–4 years and remains viable to find the host. Water facilities and sources must be uncontaminated because MAP survives in ponds and rivers for five months (Al–Ghamdi, 2013).

Test and Culling
This program consists of periodic testing of herd and positive animals are culled or separated (Garry, 2011). Testing of animals can be performed by tests mentioned in diagnostic portion; single or multiple tests in combination can be used. Control of paratuberculosis would be easier and enhance the efficiency of overall control program if we remove animals that are shedding large numbers of organisms (Garry, 2011; Bennett et al., 2012).

Zoning
This is the general approach to diseases control in animals, where zones are made on basis of severity and prevalence of disease and movement is restricted in them (Kennedy and Allworth, 2000). Disease free, protected and control areas are managed accordingly. But zoning may be a barrier in trading and marketing (Ayele et al., 2001).

Vaccination
Routine vaccination in herds provide partial protection for susceptible calves but its efficacy decreases with the progress of disease (Lu et al., 2013a and 2013b); so, there is no efficient vaccine available and not practically possible (Wadhwa et al., 2013). Still vaccination practice are helpful for delaying the onset of shedding, slowing progression from low shedding to high shedding, reducing infectiousness of shedders, extending latent period of infected animals, and reducing clinical disease (Lu et al., 2013b; Wadhwa et al., 2013; Rosseels and Huygen, 2008; Kumar et al., 2014). Singh et al., (2013b), successfully used vaccination in a calf in preclinical stage and noted reduced severity of disease in an adult cow having clinical signs, by using ‘Indian Bison Type’ biotype of MAP (strain S 5) of goat origin. Singh et al., (2011) vaccinated goats and found recovery rate of 85% under optimal conditions of nutrition while 15 % could not recover because of clinical stage. Thakur et al., (2013) resulted that an appropriate age of vaccination should be considered in vaccination protocols. Both live (attenuated and non–attenuated) and killed whole cell vaccines have been used against paratuberculosis (Bastida and Juste, 2011; Rosseels and Huygen, 2008; Knust et al., 2013). In a few cases, subunit vaccines consisting of sonicated bacteria, bacterial cell fractions or recombinant MAP antigens have been used but they have shown a much lower degree of protection (Kathaperumal et al., 2009; Koets et al., 2006). DNA vaccines have also been practiced with better success rates (Park et al., 2008).

CONCLUSION

Paratuberculosis is the progressive glumerulo entritis effecting wide range of animals. Control of JD is challenge for veterinarians and famers because of nature of organism and lack of policies to control. Most studies focus on management related control because it is very much effective. Second strategy is testing and culling of positive animals. Wide range of tests are available mostly test show positive results when animals starts shedding of MAP in feces and milk. Third control strategy for JD is vaccination, it is recommended in calves at early ages but limitation of vaccination is that it gives false positive results with tuberculosis testing.

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