Distribution and transmission of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) studied by faecal culture, serology and IS900 RFLP examinations

The objectives of this study were the determination of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) distribution in organs of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the investigation of its vertical and horizontal spread among animals, using serology, cultivation and the standardized IS900 RFLP method. During the three year of study, the production of antibodies for MAP increased from 0 in the first year to 7.7% (positive) and 0 to 88.5% (dubious) in the third year of the study. The first performed global culture examination of faecal samples from 28 animals was negative for MAP. In the three subsequent examinations of animals, the following positivity was found: 5.9%, 34.6%, and 36.8%, respectively. In the last year of the study, clinical signs such as diarrhoea were observed in four animals. The animals with clinical symptoms and those that were found to be infected with MAP by serology or faecal culture were euthanized. MAP was isolated from the intestinal tract and pulmonary lymph (tracheobronchial or mediastinal lymph nodes) nodes of all studied animals. Apart of this MAP was also isolated from reproductive organs, such as the mammary gland, milk, uterus, amniotic fluid and testicles. Application of the IS900 RFLP method revealed that the prevailing MAP isolates were of RFLP type B-C1; this profile was found in all types of tissue samples as well as in faeces, milk and amniotic fluid. In five animals a mixed infection of two profiles B-C1 and B-C5 or B-C1 and B-C16 was detected.