The
University of Guelph
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
Investigation
of the Prevalence, Diagnosis and Management of Johne's Disease
in Ontario Dairy Herds Project No: 25841,
Start Date MAY-01-2002 End Date:
JAN-31-2006
Johnes disease, a chronic debilitating
bacterial enteritis of cattle caused by Mycobacterium paratuberculosis,
has long been considered a production limiting disease of moderate economic
consequence to most North American dairy herds. Recently interest in
the disease has increased dramatically as evidence accumulates for the
potential link between Johnes disease and Crohn's disease in humans
University
of Guelph, June 16, 2004, By Andrew Vowles
Microbiologist
Takes Closer Look at Disease-Causing Bug
Bacterium
also implicated in human gastrointestinal disease By Andrew Vowles
Infectious
disease experts studying one of the most serious chronic afflictions
in dairy cattle may have an easier job thanks to research being done
by Prof. Lucy Mutharia, Department of Microbiology.
She expects her studies will help in recognizing the bug that causes
a debilitating gut infection in ruminants, particularly dairy cattle.
Besides
helping to battle the wasting effects of Johne's disease, which costs
Canada's dairy farmers millions of dollars a year, Mutharia's attempts
to improve diagnostic procedures might benefit medical researchers studying
human gastrointestinal disorders, specifically Crohn's disease.
Beef
Program
Goal
2.1 To determine factors responsible for the carriage of foodborne and
other zoonotic infections in cattle and develop methods for reducing
the risk of transmission of these diseases to humans.
.......................................................................................................................
Odumeru
J, Gao A, Chen S, Raymond M, Mutharia L. 2001. Use of the bead beater
for preparation of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis template DNA in milk.
Can J Vet Res. 2001 Oct;65(4):201-5. Research Sites
