Detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis in Domestic Ruminants in Lahore, Pakistan

Two thousand tissue samples of terminal ileum and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) cattle (Bos taurus) and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) obtained randomly from abattoirs in Lahore district were used for detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis using acid fast staining and PCR analysis. Acid fast staining revealed the presence of acid fast bacilli in 17.4% intestinal and 16.4% MLN tissues in buffalo, while in cattle 19.2% intestinal and 17.8% MLN were found positive for bacilli. In PCR analysis, 12.8% and 12.4% intestinal and MLN tissues were positive for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in buffalo. However, in cattle, PCR analysis showed respectively, 14.2% MLN and intestinal tissues positive for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Both types of tissues from cattle (5.8%) and buffalo (5%) were also positive for M. bovis by PCR. It is concluded that infections by various mycobacterium species can be differentiated by PCR amplification, which is not possible by acid fast staining technique.