Indian Bison Type Research Articles

In vivo kinetics of peripheral cellular immune responses in Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infected and vaccinated goats

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of paratuberculosis (ParaTB) also known as Johne’s disease (JD) in ruminants, which is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation. A similar counterpart has been observed in the form of Crohn's disease in humans. The present study is the first trail in goats to understand the peripheral cellular immune responses following experimental MAP infection and vaccination. Fifteen apparently healthy male kids (3–6 months old) of Barbari breed were included in this study. In the experimental study, 5 kids were infected with ‘S 5’ strain of MAP (“Indian Bison Type”), 5 were vaccinated (Indigenous Vaccine) against MAP infection (Singh et al., 2007) and the remaining 5 kids were uninfected and non-vaccinated controls. Kids were observed for a period of 180 days post exposure (infection and vaccination) and were tested for development of infection. Cellular immune responses (in blood) were recorded post-exposure by three assays. We measured the frequencies of CD4 and CD8T cells, estimated plasma IFNγ and TNα and in the third assay, in vitro cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from vaccinated, infected and controls were examined in response to polyclonal stimulation. The frequencies of peripheral CD4 and CD8T cells were comparable in control, infected and vaccinated animals except around day 49 post-infection where MAP infected animals showed a trend towards significantly reduced frequencies of CD4 T cells compared to apparently healthy controls. Significantly reduced plasma TNFα levels were also observed in infected animals compared to vaccinated animals,during the course of infection. Diminished levels (although non significant) of TNFα were observed in the supernatants from polyclonally stimulated PBMCs at around day 49 post infection. It is conceivable that the diminished cellular immune responses may coincide with an impairment (immune exhaustion) of perhaps antigen-specific CD4T cells that might, in the course of infection, contribute to the progressive nature of caprine paratuberculosis.

Molecular characterization of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in dairy cattle of Nepal

Paratuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), is an economically important, endemic in many parts of the globe, and regarded as high prevalent disease of domestic and wild animals, especially ruminants, which is manifest as chronic granulomatous enteritis with decreased milk production, with serious cases resulting in progressive emaciation and death. Understanding the genetic variability of MAP, strains are important in diagnosis, epidemiological investigation, and therefore the formation of strategies for prevention and control of the disease. Thus, this study was designed to grasp the molecular characterization of MAP isolates of Nepal, as pioneer research of this area. Total of 46 MAP isolates obtained from cattle population of three different locations of dairy pocket areas of Chitwan, Nepal were typed using IS1311 polymerase chain reaction-restriction endonuclease analysis (PCR-REA) to research the MAP genotype of Nepal. The extracted DNA samples (n=46) were analyzed for the presence of MAP specific sequences (IS900) using PCR and DNA samples were further subjected to genotype differentiation using IS1311 PCR-REA and IS1311 L2 PCR-REA methods. All the DNA samples were positive for the entire three MAP specific sequences based PCRs. This study revealed that ‘Bison type’ strain is the single most prevalent MAP genotype circulating within the domestic cattle population of Nepal. IS1311 PCR-REA showed that MAP DNA samples of Nepal origin belonged to ‘Bison type’, whereas, IS1311 L2 PCR-REA method showed similarity with "Indian Bison type" and different restriction profiles of ‘Bison type’ genotype as compared to non-Indian strains. The study concludes that in Nepal, "Bison type" MAP stains was prevalent in all the MAP samples obtained from dairy cattle. These results have important epidemiological implications regarding control and prevention of paratuberculosis in Nepal.

Detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) from Subclinical Caprine Paratuberculosis Cases of Odisha

Paratuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis (MAP) and is a chronic, intestinal tract infection in the ruminant sector globally. A total of 122 EDTA mixed blood samples, 121 serum and 16 pooled faecal samples were collected from farms of 4 different districts i.e. Nayagarh, Cuttack, Khordha and Angul and a blind review was conducted at the Animal Health Division, CIRG, Mathura. Microscopic examination of 16 pooled faecal samples revealed +2 reactivity to Acid-Fast Bacilli. All the serum samples were subjected to indirect ELISA. Out of them, 23 (19.01%), 85 (70.25%), shows strongly positive, positive, antibody titre respectively. EDTA blood samples of 23 ELISA-strongly positive were subjected to 413 bp IS900 PCR and 11 (9%) of them were found positive for Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis (MAP). MAP isolates were further subjected to genotyping using 608 bpIS1311 PCR and restriction endonuclease analysis (IS1311 PCR-REA) and 2 (1.64%) of them matched with “Indian Bison Type”. Genotyping of the isolates using IS1311 PCR-REA revealed that goat population of Odisha are primarily infected with “Indian Bison Type” strains.

Development and Standardization of Visual Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Essay for Specific Diagnosis of Johne’s Disease

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), causative agent of Johne’s disease (JD) is chronic granulomatous enteritis affecting domestic and wild ruminants. Since, MAP is not killed by pasteurization, it has been isolated from commercially pasteurized milk and milk products resulting exposure of human population to this pathogen through milk. Control and eradication of JD is considered difficult because of its insidious nature and lack of early, rapid and accurate diagnostic tests. Therefore in present study, a visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay method has been developed using a total of six primers including 2 outer (F3 and B3), 2 inner (FIP and BIP) and 2 loop (LF and LB) primers specific for MAP for the first time on ‘S 5’ strain of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis ‘Indian Bison type’ biotype. After laboratory standardization, final optimized reaction performed at 65°C for 45 min was achieved after titration of incubation time, temperature conditions and the reporter dye calcein. Sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP assay was optimized and compared with traditional IS900 PCR. The sensitivity of LAMP assay was found to detect 10fg (100%) of DNA and 95.7% specificity was recorded with respect to traditional IS900 PCR. Comparison showed that LAMP had 98.6% and 96.1% sensitivity and specificity of 96.1% and 92.3%, with respect to microscopy and culture exhibiting ‘Almost perfect’ strength of agreement. The study concluded that LAMP assay was a reliable and sensitive diagnostic test to detect MAP infection in feces and can also be used for the ‘mass screening’ of the milk samples with the help of less expertise.

Profiling of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in the milk of lactating goats using antigen-antibody based assays

Johne's disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis is endemic in the domestic livestock population, still it is not priority for control in the country. First time we used 'multiple assays’ for screening raw milk of 465 goats (farm/farmer's herds) to estimate bio-load and bio-type profile of bacilli. Each sample was screened by six tests and compared their sensitivity and specificity. Of 465 raw milk samples screened, bio-load of bacilli was 65.3% by six assays. Assay-wise bio-load was 49.4 and 62.7% in antigen and antibody detection tests, respectively. Bio-load was 48.8, 46.6, and 13.9% in Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (i_FAT), microscopy and IS900 PCR and 39.1, 57.4 and 55.6% in Indirect Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbant Assay (i_ELISA), Dot Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbant Assay (d_ELISA) and Latex Agglutination Test (LAT), respectively. Dot-ELISA was most sensitive followed by LAT, i_FAT, microscopy and i_ELISA. Milk DNA samples positive in IS900 PCR on bio-typing using IS1311 PCR_ Restriction Enzyme Analysis (IS1311 PCR_REA) revealed, 72.3% (47/65) were 'Indian Bison Type'. Milk was easy to collect sample and first time we used 'whole milk' as 'test sample' without centrifugation. High bio-load of MAP in milk underlined need for urgent control of disease in lactating goatherds. Bacilli was important 'Milk born' infection and on the basis of sensitivity, specificity, resources and requirements, of the ‘six assays’ most appropriate assay/s (single or in combination) can be chosen for the screening and diagnosis of Johne’s disease in lactating goatherds using whole milk as sample.

Molecular Diversity and Homology in Six CFPs Genes in the Novel BioType, 'Indian Bison Type' of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis of Goat Origin vs. other Biotypes

Molecular Diversity and Homology in Six CFPs Genes in the Novel BioType, 'Indian Bison Type' of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis of Goat Origin vs. other Biotypes

Molecular characterization of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) isolates

Objective: Johne’s disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is highly prevalent in domestic ruminants. In India, the exact prevalence of MAP genotypes still remains unknown limited, and the systematic disease control programs are also limited. This study was undertaken to study the molecular characterization of MAP isolates.Methods: About 22 MAP isolates were from cattle, sheep, and goat under gone the molecular characterization by three different methods (1) IS1311 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with restriction enzyme analysis (REA), (2) GyrA and GyrB PCR with sequencing, and (3) digital microfluidic chip (DMC)-PCR. The study demonstrated that a) IS1311 PCR with REA (based on point mutations) identified all 22 MAP isolates as “intermediate type” irrespective of a host of origin and also belong to Indian Bison type. Molecular typing based on the gyrA and gyrB genes partial amplification and sequencing revealed that the MAP isolates exhibited more lineages toward the reference Type III, Intermediate strain.Results: The MAP isolate of sheep origin showed more lineages toward the sheep type than the isolates of cattle and goats. This variation may be due to host-pathogen interactions and adaptation to different hosts and environmental conditions in the nature.Conclusions: The DMC-PCR, which is based on sequence difference at 5` end of IS900 of MAP, differentiated rapidly all the isolates as sheep type. The application of DMC-PCR to differentiate sheep and Intermediate types is limited as the Intermediate type (Type III) and sheep type (Type I) are very closely related to each other and all the MAP isolates were confirmed as Intermediate or Type III by three different methods which are commonly present in India, Spain, and Iceland.Keywords: Johne’s disease, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, Polymerase chain reaction, Digital microfluidic chip-polymerase chainreaction.

EN

Present study was aimed to estimate the bio-incidence of Bovine Johne‟s disease in native population of buffaloes (Murrah, Zaffarabadi and Bhadawari) in dairy farms and farmer‟s herds located in Central and North India. Total 156 serum samples were screened from a dairy herd in Kiratpur (Malwa region), and 41.0% buffaloes were positive for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection using „Indigenous ELISA kit‟. In another study, 101 young males (farmer‟s herds) from the native tract (Jind / Rohtak, Haryana) of Murrah breed were screened and 80.1% were reported positive by kit. In a farm herd of Bhadawari buffaloes in its native tract (Etawah district in Uttar Pradesh) and dairy herd of Murrah buffaloes procured from native tract and kept in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, In the two farms 20.0% buffaloes were screened and 71.4% were positive by fecal Microscopy. Study reported high bio-incidence of BJD in native breeds of buffaloes in Malwa region of Central India, Etawah and Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) and Jind / Rohtak (Haryana) regions of North India, despite high slaughter rate, for meat harvesting. Goat based 'Indigenous ELISA kit' was employed for screening since commercial kits were costly for the screening of buffaloes. Moreover Imported 'ELISA kits' were based on PPA from 'Cattle Type' biotype', a different strain from other geographical regions / country. „Indigenous ELISA kit‟ using native 'Indian Bison type' biotype was efficient, specific and cost effective 'mass screening' test to estimate bio-incidence of BJD in large population of buffaloes at National level.

Application of IS1311 locus 2 PCR-REA assay for the specific detection of 'Bison type' Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis isolates of Indian origin.

Of the three major genotypes of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), 'Bison type' is most prevalent genotype in the domestic livestock species of the country, and has also been recovered from patients suffering from Crohn's disease. Recently, a new assay based on IS1311 locus 2 PCR- restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) was designed to distinguish between 'Indian Bison type' and non-Indian genotypes. The present study investigated discriminatory potential of this new assay while screening of a panel of MAP isolates of diverse genotypes and from different geographical regions. A total of 53 mycobacterial isolates (41 MAP and 12 mycobacterium other than MAP), three MAP genomic DNA and 36 MAP positive faecal DNA samples from different livestock species (cattle, buffaloes, goat, sheep and bison) and geographical regions (India, Canada, USA, Spain and Portugal) were included in the study. The extracted DNA samples (n=92) were analyzed for the presence of MAP specific sequences (IS900, ISMav 2 and HspX) using PCR. DNA samples were further subjected to genotype differentiation using IS1311 PCR-REA and IS1311 L2 PCR-REA methods. All the DNA samples (except DNA from non-MAP mycobacterial isolates) were positive for all the three MAP specific sequences based PCRs. IS1311 PCR-REA showed that MAP DNA samples of Indian origin belonged to 'Bison type'. Whereas, of the total 19 non-Indian MAP DNA samples, 2, 15 and 2 were genotyped as 'Bison type', 'Cattle type' and 'Sheep type', respectively. IS1311 L2 PCR-REA method showed different restriction profiles of 'Bison type' genotype as compared to non-Indian DNA samples. IS1311 L2 PCR-REA method successfully discriminated 'Indian Bison type' from other non-Indian genotypes and showed potential to be future epidemiological tool and for genotyping of MAP isolates.

Immunoreactivity to Culture Filtrate Proteins of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis in Naturally Infected Goat and Sheep Sera

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), the cause of granulomatous chronic enteritis in ruminants ( Johne's disease) is under reported due to difficulties in diagnosing pre-clinical cases. Compromised speci- ficity is a problem due to extensive sharing of antigens /epitopes among MAP and other mycobacterial strains. Culture filtrate (CF) proteins profile of native 'Indian Bison Type' strain of MAP was studied at different harvesting times (2-8 weeks of growth) in Middlebrook 7H9 medium supplemented with ADC, PANTA antibiotics and mycobac- tin J. Analysis of harvested CF proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that the greater part of CF proteins had molecular masses (<70 kDa) as 14, 19, 26, 34-41, 52-55, and 70 kDa. Immunoblotting showed reactivity of CF proteins commonly recognised (28, 34-36, 38-42, 45, and 56 kDa) with all four MAP infected goat and sheep sera at 2-8 weeks of growth. Collectively, these immunoreactive MAP CF proteins could be the potential targets for developing diagnostics against Johne's disease with improved sensitivity and high specificity instead of whole cell sonicated crude protoplasmic extracts (PPA).

‘Bio-Load’ and Bio-Type Profiles ofMycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosisInfection in the Domestic Livestock Population Endemic for Johne's Disease: A Survey of 28 years (1985-2013) in India

Bio-load and bio-profile of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis was studied in the domestic livestock population of the country. Of the 23,429 farm and farmer's animals screened, average bio-load was 23.3% (Period of study; 28 years for goats; 13 years for sheep, cattle and buffaloes). Species-wise, bio-load was 20.1, 32.7, 39.3 and 28.3% in goats, sheep, cattle and buffaloes, respectively. Bio-load was significantly lower in time period A (P < 0.001) and B (P < 0.03), compared with period C. Geographical zone-wise, bio-load of MAP was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Central zone compared with South, West, East and North zones. Bio-load in 11 states ranged from 16.2 to 87.8%. Of 8450, 5643, 8185 and 1151 samples screened by microscopy, culture, indigenous ELISA and IS900 blood PCR, 20.0, 10.6, 35.1 and 26.6% samples were positive, respectively. Bio-load was 32.8 and 31.6% in farm and farmer's goats and sheep, respectively, and 62.1% in farmer's cattle. MAP bio-load was also monitored in four farm units (three goats and one sheep) for breed improvement and three farm goats units for experimental purposes at Central Institute for Research on Goats in Mathura district. Of the 8025 goats and 1525 sheep that died from 1988 to 2013, 10.9 and 3.0% deaths were due to JD, respectively. On the basis of JD and suspected JD, 10.0 and 28.4% goats and 2.2 and 40.9% sheep, respectively were culled from the farm units in 25 years. Microscopic examination of 214 tissues (mesenteric lymph nodes and intestines) of 107 animals, it was observed that bio-load of MAP was high (25.0-60.0%) in farm animals. 'Indian Bison Type' was the dominant biotype, irrespective of domestic livestock species and the geographical zone.

English

Bio-load of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP)&nbsp;was estimated in the first mass screening of human population in Mathura region of South Uttar Pradesh. 48,919 samples were collected between December, 2010 and March, 2013 from Pathology laboratories, 26,390 were screened by indigenous ELISA kit, IS900 blood and stool PCR, IS1311 PCR_RE and stool microscopy. From 23,196 serum samples screened by indigenous ELISA, 34.0% were positive for MAP infection (Mathura -35.4% and Agra 14.2%). Percent prevalence of MAP infection was 28.3, 41.8, 37.4, 29.5, 41.1, 40.7, 42.5, 36.5 and 51.2 in patients suspected for diabetes, liver disorders, anaemia, thyroid, tuberculosis, typhoid, abdominal disorders, inflammatory illness and ion imbalance, respectively. 3093 blood samples screened by IS900 PCR, 8.4% were positive (Mathura - 9.2% and Agra -7.9%). Percent prevalence of MAP was 4.8, 7.0, 20.0, 4.9, 17.8, 7.6 and 12.7 in patients suspected for diabetic, liver disorder, skin disorders, anaemia, Malaria, typhoid and apparently normal individuals, respectively. 101 stool samples screened by microscopy, 5.9% were positive and of these 2.9% were confirmed by IS900 PCR. IS1311 PCR_RE bio-typing showed &lsquo;Indian Bison Type&rsquo; was the most prevalent biotype. The study indicated large scale exposure of human population to MAP in the Mathura region of South Uttar Pradesh and &lsquo;Indian Bison Type&rsquo; biotype was most prevalent. Key words: Blood PCR, bio-load, Crohn&rsquo;s disease, Indian bison type, indigenous ELISA, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis.

Screening of Human Population for Type 1 Diabetes and Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis from Chattarpur District of Madhya Pradesh

| Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, the cause of granulomatous enteritis in ruminants, has also been associated with Inflammatory Bowel disease or Crohn’s disease in human population. Present study aimed to investigate bio-presence of MAP in suspected and confirmed cases of Type 1 Diabetes in clinical samples (blood and serum) of human beings from Chattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Screening of 88 serum samples for the presence of MAP using ‘Indigenous ELISA’, 34 (38.6%) were positive for MAP infection. Whereas of the 71 blood samples screened, 28 (39.4%) were positive in IS900 PCR. Screening of 19 serum and 16 blood samples from 20 confirmed patients of ‘Type 1 diabetes’, 31.5 and 43.7% were positive by ‘Indigenous ELISA’ and IS900 PCR, respectively. Comparison of Indigenous ELISA and IS900 PCR revealed fair agreement between the two tests. Bio-typing of DNA of 8 positive blood samples by IS1311 PCR-RE revealed presence of ‘Indian Bison type’ biotype. Presence of MAP bacterimia in the patients suffering from Type 1 Diabetes added to the existing knowledge that MAP may provide foundation for establishing diabetes in human subjects. This is the first report of presence of MAP in human Type 1 Diabetes patients from India. ‘Indian Bison Type’ biotype in domestic livestock suggests a link and interspecies transmission through food chain.

Expression Profiles of Different Cytokine Genes in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Goats Infected Experimentally with Native Strain of Mycobacterium Avium Subsp. Paratuberculosis

Paratuberculosis (ParaTB), caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a chronic enteritis of ruminants and may contribute to Crohn's disease in humans. Key features of host immunity to MAP infection include an early pro-inflammatory (Th1-like) response that eventually gives way to a predominant anti-inflammatory (Th2-like) response. Many studies have been conducted to understand the underlying mechanism of misdirected host immune response, however, these studies mainly focused on cattle. The present study is the first attempt to test the hypothesis of shift in Th1 to Th2 like responses during the progression of ParaTB in caprine species (small ruminant). Ten healthy male kids (<6 months old) of the same breed were selected for this study. Of the 10 kids, 6 were experimentally infected with native strain (S5) of MAP (“Indian Bison Type”) and the remaining 4 kids were control. Kids were monitored for a period of 12 months post infection (MPI) and were tested for establishment of infection. Expression levels of IFNG, IL2, IL12, IL4, and IL10 genes were estimated before infection and at 4, 8, and 12 MPI in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of infected and control kids. The study demonstrated the expression of IFNG and IL2 as classic Th1-like pro-inflammatory signatures; whereas, IL10 exhibited itself as classical Th2-like signature. The study also reports unexpected lowered expression of the IL12 gene simultaneously with increased expression of IFNG, lowered expression of the IL2 gene (compared to IFNG), and suppressed expression of the IL4.

Genome Sequence of the “Indian Bison Type” Biotype of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Strain S5

We report the 4.79-Mb genome sequence of the “Indian Bison Type” biotype of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis strain S5, isolated from a terminally sick Jamunapari goat at the CIRG (Central Institute for Research on Goats) farm in India. This draft genome will help in studying novelties of this biotype, which is widely distributed in animals and human beings in India.

Efficacy of ‘indigenous vaccine’ using native ‘Indian bison type’ genotype of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis for the control of clinical Johne’s disease in an organized goat herd

Therapeutic efficacy of a new 'Indigenous vaccine' prepared from native highly pathogenic 'Indian Bison Type' genotype of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) of goat origin has been evaluated with respect to control of clinical Johne's disease in naturally infected Mehsana breed of goat in North Gujarat. Fifty goats from Sheep and Goats Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, were randomly divided into 2 groups viz.,'Vaccinated'(n = 35) and 'Control'(n = 15). After vaccination, goats were monitored for physical condition, morbidity, mortality, body weights, shedding of MAP in feces, internal condition, gross lesions and humoral immune responses up to 120 days (at each interval of 30 days). At the end of 120 days trial, there was marked overall improvement in physical condition and body weights of vaccinated goats as compared to 'Control' goats. Vaccinated goats gained significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weights, hardly exhibited any lesions characteristic of JD, had significantly higher (P < 0.01) antibody titers and shedding of MAP was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced. Few of the vaccinated goats were positive for MAP DNA in faecal PCR and blood PCR before vaccination. However, all were found as negative at 120 days post vaccination (DPV). Overall vaccine exhibited effective in restriction of MAP infection and significant improvement in production parameters and reduction in mortality and morbidity due to JD. The trial in the herd will be continued.

Evaluation of “Indigenous Vaccine” Developed Using “Indian Bison Type” Genotype of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Strain “S5” of Goat Origin in a Sheep Flock Endemic for Johne’s Disease: A Three Years Trial in India

“Indigenous vaccine” developed from native “Indian Bison Type” strain (“S5”) of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) of “goat origin” was first time evaluated in a sheep flock of Bharat Merino breed located in Mannavanur town of Tamil Nadu in South India. Therapeutic efficacy of the vaccine was evaluated for 3 years between 2008 and 2010, on the basis of improvements in productivity (body weights, reproductive efficiency and survivability), physical condition, clinical symptoms (weakness, diarrhea, wool quality), immune response (sero-conversion) and infection load in feces (shedding). After immunization of the flock in 2008, the successive progenies of 112 and 53 lambs born in 2009 and 2010, respectively were vaccinated. Whereas, 40 lambs born to control animals were kept as unvaccinated controls. Though gain in body weights in vaccinated versus controls were not significant in 2008, growth rates were distinctly superior in Ist and IInd generations of vaccinated lambs. Reproductive performance (tupping percent) and survivability of lambs and adult sheep improved significantly. There was overall reduction in yearly morbidity (diarrhea) and mortality rates of the flock in post vaccination years. Shedding of MAP in feces was reduced in vaccinated sheep by 6.2%, 14.3% and 27.3% in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively, whereas shedding increased in the control sheep. Seromonitoring of the animals by “indigenous ELISA kit” showed enhanced “flock immunity” in successive generations. “Indigenous vaccine” reduced clinical disease and shedding and improved immunity and productivity of Bharat Merino flock, endemic for Johne’s disease.

High prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (‘Indian bison type’) in animal attendants suffering from gastrointestinal complaints who work with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease in India

In this study we aimed to estimate the prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in animal attendants who were chronic colitis patients or who had inflammatory bowel disease and were suspected for Crohn's disease; these animal attendants worked with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease. Microscopic examination and culture tests were used. For comparison purposes a group of healthy human subjects (not suffering with colitis) was also screened. Stool samples obtained from 98 human subjects (58 animal attendants suspected for Crohn's disease and 40 healthy humans) were screened for the presence of MAP by microscopic examination and culture. Of the 58 animal attendants screened, 38 had abdominal pain, 29 had suffered episodes of diarrhea, 39 had experienced weight loss, 27 had fever, and 32 had a history of raw milk consumption. Animal attendants had had contact of variable duration with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease (1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and >15 years). Forty stool samples from healthy humans with no symptoms/history of contact with animals were also screened. IS900 PCR and IS1311 PCR restriction endonuclease analysis were used to characterize and genotype the MAP colonies. MAP was recovered from 34 of the 98 human subject stool samples (34.7%). Of the 98 samples, 16.3% (n=16) were acid-fast. None of the 40 healthy human subjects were positive for MAP by microscopy, but five (12.5%) were positive for MAP by culture. Of the 58 animal attendants, 16 (27.6%) were positive by microscopy and 29 (50%) were positive by culture. MAP were recovered from 68.4% of animal attendants with abdominal pain, 72.4% of those with diarrhea, 71.8% of those with weight loss, 44.4% of those with fever, and 46.9% of those who had a history of raw milk consumption. Of the 29 culture-positive animal attendants, 48.3% had worked for >15 years, 27.6% for 11-15 years, 20.7% for 6-10 years, and 3.4% for 1-5 years with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease. Of the 34 culture isolates, 28 (82.4%) showed good quality DNA on agarose gel and were positive by IS900 PCR. Of the 28 IS900-positive DNA samples, 23 (82.1%) were genotyped as 'Indian bison type' and five (17.9%) as 'cattle type'. The prevalence of MAP was higher in attendants suffering from gastrointestinal problems who worked with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease, than in humans with no history of contact with animals. The risk of developing gastrointestinal problems with clinical symptoms indistinguishable from inflammatory bowel disease was higher in humans who were in contact with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease as compared to healthy humans, and the risk was correlated with the duration of association with the endemic goat herds.

Evaluation of “Indigenous Absorbed ELISA Kit” for the Estimation of Seroprevalence ofMycobacterium aviumSubspeciesparatuberculosisAntibodies in Human Beings in North India

In present pilot study aimed to estimate, presence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) antibodies in the human serum samples originating from North India using “Indigenous absorbed ELISA kit” (ELISA kit). The phase I, “ELISA kit” was optimized using protoplasmic antigen from native isolate of MAP “Indian Bison type” recovered from the biopsies of Crohn's disease patients. The phase II, sensitivity and specificity of the kit were estimated as 40.0 and 83.3%, respectively, when evaluated in 40 human serum samples (5 Crohn's disease and 22 ulcerative colitis patients and 13 healthy human subjects) with defined MAP status with respect to stool culture. Seroprevalence of MAP antibodies was higher in CD patients (80.0%) as compared to ulcerative colitis patients (4.5%) and normal human subjects (15.3%). The phase III, seroprevalence of MAP antibodies was estimated as 23.4%, on the basis of the screening of 452 human serum samples (without history) from different geographical regions of North India. Region-wise, 34.0, 33.3, 32.8, 25.0, 23.0, 17.7, and 12.5% samples were positive from the states of Punjab, Uttarakhand, New Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, respectively. Study reported moderately higher presence of MAP antibodies in human population, which necessitates programs to reduce the bioburden of MAP in the environment and in animal population.

Molecular identification and characterization of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in free living non-human primate (Rhesus macaques) from North India

In recent years, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) has emerged as major animal pathogen with significant zoonotic concerns, worldwide. MAP infection is endemic in domestic and wild ruminant population in India. However, information on MAP infection in free ranging animal species and non human primates is limited. Present study aimed to estimate the status of MAP infection in free living Rhesus macaques suffering with multiple clinical conditions (coughing and loose stool). A total of 25 stool samples were collected from six colonies of Rhesus macaques from Mathura region (North India) and screened for the presence of MAP, using microscopic examination and IS900 PCR, directly from stool samples. PCR positive DNA samples were further genotyped using IS1311 PCR-restriction enzyme analysis. Of the 25 stool samples, 10 (40.0%) and 2 (8.0%) were positive for MAP using microscopic examination and direct IS900 PCR, respectively. IS900 PCR positive DNA samples were genotyped as 'Indian Bison type', which is a major MAP genotype infecting domestic and wild ruminant species and human beings in India. Prevalence of MAP in Rhesus macaques (Indian monkeys) was moderately high and confirmed interspecies sharing of MAP between domestic livestock and non-human primates. Presence of MAP in non-human primates, support the etiological role of MAP in inflammatory bowel disease patients. Indian monkeys may serve as model for understanding the role of non-human primates in sustenance, transmission and pathogenesis of MAP infection.