Evaluation of bacteriologic culture of individual and pooled fecal samples for detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in dairy cattle herds.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the sensitivity of bacteriologic culture of pooled fecal samples in detecting Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, compared with bacteriologic culture of individual fecal samples in dairy cattle herds.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
24 dairy cattle herds.


METHODS
Individual and pooled fecal samples were submitted for bacteriologic culture, and results were compared between these groups.


RESULTS
Ninety-four and 88% of pooled fecal samples that contained feces from at least 1 animal with high (mean, > or = 50 colonies/tube) and moderate (mean, 10 to 49 colonies/tube) concentrations of M paratuberculosis, respectively, were identified by use of bacteriologic culture of pooled fecal samples. Prevalences of paratuberculosis determined by bacteriologic culture of pooled and individual fecal samples were highly correlated.


CONCLUSIONS
Bacteriologic culture of pooled fecal samples provided a valid and cost-effective method for the detection of M paratuberculosis infection in dairy cattle herds and can be used to estimate prevalence of infection within a herd.
Wells
Scott J
SJ
Department of Clinical and Population Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Godden
Sandra M
SM
Lindeman
Cynthia J
CJ
Collins
James E
JE
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D016927:Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010283:Paratuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity