title: Paratuberculosis in different breeds of sheep: A retrospective study of cases.
abstract: Spontaneous ovine paratuberculosis in an organized farm was diagnosed based on histopathological lesions, demonstration of acid-fast bacilli in different visceral organs, and detection of antibody levels against Mycobacterium paratuberculosis by agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID). Out of 190 morbid specimens examined histopathologically, 77% of specimens had pathological lesions, which included predominant epithelioid cell formation, infiltration of lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages. In acid-fast staining of tissue sections, 74% of intestinal specimens and 53% of mesenteric lymph nodes were positive for the presence of acid-fast bacilli. Hematologically, the animals were showing leucopenia, macrocytic and normochromic anemia. Out of 49 animals tested, 28.5% of animals were positive for antibodies against M. paratuberculosis. Local breeds, namely Nilagiri and Sandyno sheep, were found to be more susceptible than exotic breeds, namely Dorset. Females were more susceptible than males. Mortality was noticed in the age group of 4months to 10years.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai 600 051, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hemalatha
authors.affiliation: Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai 600 051, India. Electronic address: roy@tanuvas.org.in.
authors.forename: Parimal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai 600 051, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Purushothaman
authors.affiliation: Centre for Animal Production Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai 600 051, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iyue
keywords: Agar gel immunodiffusion test; Breed susceptible; Diagnosis; Hematology; Histopathology; Ovine paratuberculosis