Pathogenesis of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infections in ruminants: still more questions than answers.
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis is the etiologic agent of paratuberculosis (Johnes disease), a chronic enteritis in ruminants, which is one of the most widespread bacterial diseases of domestic animals, causing enormous economic losses worldwide. Though the disease was first described more than a century ago, the biology of the infecting organism and the mechanisms of its interactions with the host still remain a mystery. In this review, recent advances made on pathogenesis of paratuberculosis are summarized and future challenges are discussed.
Valentin-Weigand
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Institut für Mikrobiologie und Tierseuchen, Tierärztliche Hochschule, Hannover, Germany.
Goethe
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D000818:Animals; D016927:Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D010283:Paratuberculosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012418:Ruminants / Q000382:microbiology*