title: Radiometric culture of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis from the feces of tule elk.
abstract: To determine if Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis has persisted in tule elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes) at Point Reyes National Seashore (California, USA), 100 fresh fecal samples were collected. Feces were cultured on a modified BACTEC 12B radiometric medium for detection of M. avium paratuberculosis. Four samples, coming from two separate groups of elk tested positive for M. avium paratuberculosis. Thus, a noninvasive technique was used to document the continued presence of M. avium paratuberculosis in elk at Point Reyes National Seashore. These findings document persistence of this organism for a period of at least 13 yr in a free ranging herd of elk, with a 6 yr absence of observed clinical signs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82070, USA.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Cornish
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shideler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lasley
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003470:Culture Media; D003670:Deer; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D016927:Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010283:Paratuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media