Risk Factors Associated with Transmission ofMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisto Calves within Dairy Herd: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Paratuberculosis has a worldwide distribution and many countries have implemented control programs to prevent transmission among and within herds. For these programs to be efficient, knowledge of the risk factors involved in transmission is essential.Objectives: Systematically review the scientific literature concerning risk factors associated with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) transmission to dairy calves.Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: An electronic search was done in PubMed and CAB to retrieve references relevant to answer at least 1 of the 5 questions concerning neonatal environment, colostrum, milk, housing of calves, and contact of calves with adult cow feces as risk factors in MAP transmission. A 1st screening was done using titles only, then abstracts, and finally full-length articles were reviewed for relevance. From the articles selected, risk factors and presence of a significant association between these risk factors and MAP transmission were recorded.Results: Twenty-three articles from 11 different countries and published in 12 different journals were reviewed. The most common study design was cross-sectional (n = 16). The case definition and diagnostic tests used were very variable among studies, but serum ELISA was used in most studies (n = 14). The study unit was the herd in 18 studies.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The contact of calves with adult cow feces is the most important risk factor in MAP transmission. The 5 categories of risk factors are linked to one another.

Management Risk Factors for Calf Mortality in Intensive Italian Dairy Farms

“…Early calf-dam separation, within 12 h from birth, is also suggested in order to decrease the risk of exposure to environmental pathogens and to facilitate first care (Windsor and Whittington, 2010). In particular, for prevention of MAP disease, it would be better to separate calf from dam within 4 h because the contact of calves with adult cow faeces is the most important risk factor (Dorè et al, 2012).…”

Genetic Structure of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Population in Cattle Herds in Quebec as Revealed by Using a Combination of Multilocus Genomic Analyses

“…Paratuberculosis is a spectral disease characterized by an extended subclinical phase of several months or years, followed by an inevitable terminal clinical stage (2). Bovine paratuberculosis is endemic to most parts of the world, including Canada (3)(4)(5), and is considered one of the most costly infectious diseases of dairy cattle (6,7). In Canada, paratuberculosis has also been detected in sheep (8), goats (9), and wild ruminant species (10)(11)(12).…”

Avaliação sorológica e de fatores de risco para a infecção por Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis em rebanhos leiteiros da Microrregião de Garanhuns, Pernambuco

“…O contato direto de bezerros com fezes de vacas adultas infectadas por MAP, foi considerado por Doré et al (2012), como o fator de risco mais importante na transmissão do agente aos bezerros.…”