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Abstract
Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) is a chronic enteric infection affecting domestic and wild ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Clinically, it manifests with chronic diarrhea, severe weight loss, and decreased productivity. Transmission occurs via the ingestion of contaminated feed, water, or milk, with MAP capable of persisting in the environment for long periods. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathological alterations and diagnostic methodologies of Johne's disease, enhancing veterinary diagnostic capabilities and emphasizing its economic significance in livestock management. Findings indicate extensive and persistent intestinal lesions in affected animals. Despite the high costs, current diagnostic tests show limited sensitivity and no effective treatment exists. Effective control strategies remain undefined and require further development.
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References
- Alonso-Hearn, M., de Silva, K., & Salgado, M. (Eds.). (2021). Advances in the diagnosis and control of Johne's disease. Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/978-2-88971-750-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/978-2-88971-750-7
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). (2021). Johne's disease: Control and eradication. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from Link
- Beard, P. M., et al. (2001). Paratuberculosis infection of nonruminant wildlife in Scotland. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 39(4), 1517–1521. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.39.4.1517-1521.2001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.39.4.1517-1521.2001
- Behdad, M., Tsenkova, R., & Atanassova, S. (2024). Early detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection in dairy cattle using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Aquaphotomics. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 14, 1374560. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1374560 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1374560
- Clarke, C. J. (1997). The pathology and pathogenesis of paratuberculosis in ruminants and other species. Journal of Comparative Pathology, 116(3), 217-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9975(97)80001-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9975(97)80001-1
- Clarke, C. J., & Little, D. (1996). The pathology of ovine paratuberculosis: Gross and histological changes in the intestine and other tissues. Journal of Comparative Pathology, 114(4), 419-437. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9975(96)80017-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9975(96)80017-X
- Collins, M. T. (2011). Diagnosis of paratuberculosis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 27(3), 581-591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2011.07.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2011.07.013
- Collins, M. T., & Manning, E. J. B. (2003). History. Johne's Information Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Retrieved from Link
- DVM360. (2025, May 21). New diagnostic approach may help detect Johne's disease in cattle earlier. Retrieved from Link
- Fecteau, M. E. (2018). Paratuberculosis in cattle. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 34(1), 209-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2017.10.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2017.10.011
- García, A. B., & Shalloo, L. (2015). Invited review: The economic impact and control of paratuberculosis in cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 98(8), 5019-5039. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-9241 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-9241
- Hatate, M., Shibata, S., & Mikami, T. (2021). Advances in the Diagnosis and Control of Johne's Disease. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 771891. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.771891 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.771891
- Khol, J. L., & Baumgartner, W. (2012). Paratuberculosis in sheep and goats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 28(3), 493-503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2012.07.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2012.07.001
- Naser, S. A., & Sagramsingh, S. R. (2014). Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis causes Crohn's disease in some inflammatory bowel disease patients. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 20(23), 7403–7415. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7403 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7403
- National Research Council. 2003. Diagnosis and Control of Johne's Disease, The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/10625. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/10625
- Open Veterinary Journal. (2025). A comprehensive review of paratuberculosis in animals and its public health implications. Open Veterinary Journal, 15(4), 1593–1598. Retrieved from Link
- Rae, D. O. (2023). Johne's Disease in Beef Cattle. UF/IFAS Extension. Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VM256 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-vm256-2023
- Singh, S. V., Kumar, N., Sohal, J. S., & Singh, A. V. (2014). Recent trends in diagnosisand control of mycobacterial infections with special reference to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 2014, 983902. https://doi.org/10.14737/journal.aavs/2014/2.1s.1.11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14737/journal.aavs/2014/2.1s.1.12
- Singh, S. V., & Gopinath, K. (2011). Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and Crohn's disease. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology, 30(1),28–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-011-0080-1
- Stehman, S. M. (1996). Paratuberculosis in small ruminants, deer, and South American camelids. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 12(2), 441- 455. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30416-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30416-3
- Storset, A. K., Hasvold, H. J., Valheim, M., Brun-Hansen, H., Berntsen, G., & Whist, S. K., et al. (2001). Subclinical paratuberculosis in goats following experimental infection: An immunological and microbiological study. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 80(3-4), 271-287. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-2427(01)00294-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-2427(01)00294-X
- Sweeney, R. W. (2011). Pathogenesis of paratuberculosis. Veterinary Clinics: Food Animal Practice, 27(3), 537-546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2011.07.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2011.07.001
- University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. (2019). Johne's disease in beef cattle. ASK IFAS - Powered by EDIS. Retrieved from Link
- Whittington, R. J., & Sergeant, E. S. G. (2001). Progress towards understanding the spread, detection, and control of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in animal populations. Australian Veterinary Journal, 79(4), 267-278. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb11980.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb11980.x
- Waddell, L., Rajić, A., Stärk, K. D. C., & McEwen, S. A. (2016). The potential public health impact of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis: Global opinion survey. Zoonoses and Public Health, 63(3), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12228Johne's Information Center DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12221
- Whitlock, R. H., & Buergelt, C. (1996). Preclinical and clinical manifestations of paratuberculosis (including pathology). Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 12(2), 345–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30329-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30410-2
References
Alonso-Hearn, M., de Silva, K., & Salgado, M. (Eds.). (2021). Advances in the diagnosis and control of Johne's disease. Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/978-2-88971-750-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/978-2-88971-750-7
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). (2021). Johne's disease: Control and eradication. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from Link
Beard, P. M., et al. (2001). Paratuberculosis infection of nonruminant wildlife in Scotland. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 39(4), 1517–1521. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.39.4.1517-1521.2001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.39.4.1517-1521.2001
Behdad, M., Tsenkova, R., & Atanassova, S. (2024). Early detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection in dairy cattle using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Aquaphotomics. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 14, 1374560. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1374560 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1374560
Clarke, C. J. (1997). The pathology and pathogenesis of paratuberculosis in ruminants and other species. Journal of Comparative Pathology, 116(3), 217-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9975(97)80001-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9975(97)80001-1
Clarke, C. J., & Little, D. (1996). The pathology of ovine paratuberculosis: Gross and histological changes in the intestine and other tissues. Journal of Comparative Pathology, 114(4), 419-437. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9975(96)80017-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9975(96)80017-X
Collins, M. T. (2011). Diagnosis of paratuberculosis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 27(3), 581-591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2011.07.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2011.07.013
Collins, M. T., & Manning, E. J. B. (2003). History. Johne's Information Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Retrieved from Link
DVM360. (2025, May 21). New diagnostic approach may help detect Johne's disease in cattle earlier. Retrieved from Link
Fecteau, M. E. (2018). Paratuberculosis in cattle. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 34(1), 209-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2017.10.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2017.10.011
García, A. B., & Shalloo, L. (2015). Invited review: The economic impact and control of paratuberculosis in cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 98(8), 5019-5039. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-9241 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-9241
Hatate, M., Shibata, S., & Mikami, T. (2021). Advances in the Diagnosis and Control of Johne's Disease. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 771891. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.771891 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.771891
Khol, J. L., & Baumgartner, W. (2012). Paratuberculosis in sheep and goats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 28(3), 493-503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2012.07.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2012.07.001
Naser, S. A., & Sagramsingh, S. R. (2014). Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis causes Crohn's disease in some inflammatory bowel disease patients. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 20(23), 7403–7415. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7403 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7403
National Research Council. 2003. Diagnosis and Control of Johne's Disease, The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/10625. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/10625
Open Veterinary Journal. (2025). A comprehensive review of paratuberculosis in animals and its public health implications. Open Veterinary Journal, 15(4), 1593–1598. Retrieved from Link
Rae, D. O. (2023). Johne's Disease in Beef Cattle. UF/IFAS Extension. Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VM256 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-vm256-2023
Singh, S. V., Kumar, N., Sohal, J. S., & Singh, A. V. (2014). Recent trends in diagnosisand control of mycobacterial infections with special reference to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 2014, 983902. https://doi.org/10.14737/journal.aavs/2014/2.1s.1.11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14737/journal.aavs/2014/2.1s.1.12
Singh, S. V., & Gopinath, K. (2011). Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and Crohn's disease. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology, 30(1),28–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-011-0080-1
Stehman, S. M. (1996). Paratuberculosis in small ruminants, deer, and South American camelids. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 12(2), 441- 455. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30416-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30416-3
Storset, A. K., Hasvold, H. J., Valheim, M., Brun-Hansen, H., Berntsen, G., & Whist, S. K., et al. (2001). Subclinical paratuberculosis in goats following experimental infection: An immunological and microbiological study. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 80(3-4), 271-287. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-2427(01)00294-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-2427(01)00294-X
Sweeney, R. W. (2011). Pathogenesis of paratuberculosis. Veterinary Clinics: Food Animal Practice, 27(3), 537-546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2011.07.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2011.07.001
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. (2019). Johne's disease in beef cattle. ASK IFAS - Powered by EDIS. Retrieved from Link
Whittington, R. J., & Sergeant, E. S. G. (2001). Progress towards understanding the spread, detection, and control of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in animal populations. Australian Veterinary Journal, 79(4), 267-278. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb11980.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb11980.x
Waddell, L., Rajić, A., Stärk, K. D. C., & McEwen, S. A. (2016). The potential public health impact of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis: Global opinion survey. Zoonoses and Public Health, 63(3), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12228Johne's Information Center DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12221
Whitlock, R. H., & Buergelt, C. (1996). Preclinical and clinical manifestations of paratuberculosis (including pathology). Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 12(2), 345–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30329-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30410-2