Wildlife and paratuberculosis: a review
Investigation published in Research in Veterinary Science
April 1st, 2013
Paratuberculosis (PTB) is an infectious granulomatous enteritis caused by Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) causing significant economic losses in livestock. However, PTB in free
living and captive wildlife has not been as extensively studied as in livestock. We reviewed the existing literature references on MAP to i) determine the potential impact of MAP infection in wildlife species; ii) analyze whether wildlife reservoirs are relevant regarding MAP control in domestic ruminants; iii) assess the importance of MAP as the cause of potential interferences with
tuberculosis diagnosis in wildlife. The mean MAP prevalence reported in wildlife was 2.41% (95% confidence interval 1.76-3.06). Although MAP should be considered an important disease in farmed cervids, its impact on free-ranging species is questionable. MAP reservoirs may exist locally but their significance for PTB control in livestock is quite limited. The most critical aspect derived of MAP infection in wildlife is the interference with tuberculosis diagnosis
Carta T., Alvarez J., Perez de la Lastra JM. and Gortazar C.
 | Servicio de Micobacterias (MYC). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
 | Sanidad y Biotecnología (SaBio). Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC). Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Universidad de Castilla La Mancha (UCLM). Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM). |
 | Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS). Universidad Complutense (UCM). Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). Universidad de Alcalá (UAH). Salud Madrid. Comunidad de Madrid. |
