Aspectos epidemiológicos da infecção pelo Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis em rebanhos leiteiros da microrregião de Garanhuns - Pernambuco, Brasil

Abstract

Paratuberculosis is a disease that can cause a negative impact on national livestock. In cattle cause chronic intractable diarrhea and granulomatous enteritis, these animals become listless and lose weight gradually, decreasing or ceasing milk production. It is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), an alcohol-acid resistant bacilli, resistant to many environments. The objective of this study makes an epidemiological investigation of MAP infections in dairy cattle the microregion of Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil. For this study blood samples were collected from 408 animals from 19 herds in 15 counties of the microregion. Serologic testing was performed by indirect enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) for antibodies against the MAP. A questionnaire was applied to all properties for analysis of risk factors, and collected geographical coordinates through a GPS (Global Position System) device to perform the spatial distribution. The prevalence of MAP infection was 2.7% (11/408, I.C. 1.4 – 4.9). The number of foci was 47.4% (9/19). In logistic regression analysis was identified as a risk factor the annual rate of births over 51 calves / year (O.R. 3.8; I.C. 1.1 – 13.1). In conclusion an MAP infection is spread among the cattle’s herds of microregion Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil, and control measures based or risk factors should be implemented to reduce the number of outbreaks and consequently increase the productivity of herds.