Perceptions of veterinarians and producers concerning Johne’s disease prevalence and control in US beef cow-calf operations

BMC Veterinary Research

Allen J Roussel⁵  Seong C Park³  Jason B Osterstock²  Geoffrey T Fosgate¹  Bikash Bhattarai⁴ 

[1] Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa;Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA;Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Centre, Vernon, TX 76385, USA;Current address: Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, One Bear Place, Box 97261, Waco, TX 76798, USA;Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA

关键词: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis;    Beef cattle;    Johne’s disease;   

Others  :  1119343
DOI  :  10.1186/1746-6148-10-27

 received in 2013-09-04, accepted in 2014-01-03,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Efforts to educate producers and veterinarians in the United States regarding the management, prevention and control of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection have increased over recent years. While nationwide awareness about MAP infection is improving, current level of awareness among beef producers and veterinarians is largely unknown. This study compares the perceptions of beef producers and veterinarians on the burden of MAP infection in cow-calf herds and on measures to control new infections. Questionnaires were mailed to 989 US beef producers through state Designated Johne’s Coordinators and to 1080 bovine veterinarians belonging to a US nationwide professional association.

Results

Twenty-two percent (34/155) of producers reported having infected animals in their herds. The mean (minimum, median, maximum) prevalence reported by producers was 0.8% (0, 0, 10). Twenty-seven percent (27/100) of producers had at least one clinical animal during the previous year. Compared to the small herds (<50 head), the mean test-positive percentages and estimated prevalences were higher in medium (50–149) and highest in large (≥150) herds. Seedstock herds had a lower prevalence and these producers were more likely to enroll in Johne’s disease (JD) control programs and test their herds. Veterinarians reported a mean overall animal level prevalence in their client herds of 5% (0, 2, 60). Similarly, 26% (0, 10, 100) of client herds had at least one infected animal. Mean percentage of infected cows within infected herds was 9% (0.01, 5, 80). Producers generally performed activities to control MAP transmission more frequently than perceived by veterinarians. Compared to veterinarians’ opinions, producers were less likely to cull cows with signs consistent with JD (P < 0.01), but more likely to test purchased additions (P < 0.01). Testing recommendations by veterinarians (n = 277) for beef cow-calf herds were bacterial culture of feces (3%), PCR (14%), ELISA (35%) and a combination of these tests (47%). Seventy-nine percent of veterinarians recommended a 12-month interval between testing.

Conclusions

Seedstock producers who had had JD risk assessments performed on their farms were more supportive of JD control programs and had a correspondingly lower prevalence. It is important to increase educational activities to provide relevant information to veterinarians and producers for better management and control of JD. Educational programs should target larger herds to maximize the impact.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Bhattarai et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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