title: Evaluation of the association between fecal excretion of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis and detection in colostrum and on teat skin surfaces of dairy cows.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association between fecal excretion of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) by dairy cows in the periparturient period and detection of MAP DNA in colostrum specimens and on teat skin surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  112 Holstein cows.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fecal specimens were collected within 48 to 72 hours prior to parturition, and colostrum and teat swab specimens were collected immediately after parturition. Detection of MAP in fecal specimens was performed via microbial culture, and detection of MAP DNA in colostrum and teat swab specimens was achieved via a PCR assay targeting the genetic element ISMAP02. Logistic regression was used to model the relationship between MAP fecal shedding status and detection of MAP DNA in colostrum or teat swab specimens. Population attributable fractions for the proportion of colostrum and teat swab specimens containing MAP DNA were also calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The odds of detecting MAP DNA in colostrum or teat swab specimens in cows with MAP-positive (vs negative) fecal specimens were 2.02 and 1.87 respectively. Population attributable fractions estimates suggested that withholding colostrum from MAP-positive cows could reduce the odds of exposing calves to MAP in colostrum by 18.2%. Not permitting natural suckling by calves could reduce the odds of exposing calves to MAP on the teat surfaces of MAP-positive cows by 19.5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results underscored the need for strict adherence to practices that limit contact of calves with adult cows from the time of birth and promote hygienic colostrum handling to avoid possible contamination with MAP during colostrum harvest, storage, or feeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA. pithuap@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pithua
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Sandra M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Godden
authors.forename: Judith R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stabel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003126:Colostrum / Q000382:microbiology*; D003612:Dairying; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000382:microbiology; D016927:Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010283:Paratuberculosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*