Johne's Disease is a contagious and chronic disease of ruminants caused by ''[[Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis]]''. Affected species include cattle, sheep, goats and camelids. This chronic mycobacterial infection primarily affects the small intestine, and is most commonly seen in cattle, sheep and goats.
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Johne's Disease is a contagious and chronic disease of ruminants caused by ''[[Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis]]''. Affected species include cattle, sheep, goats and camelids. The pathogen primarily affects the small intestine and is responsbile for severe economic losses due to culling losses and reduced reproductive performance and milk production.
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Calves are most commonly affected by this condition, and can be infected via a number of routes. They may be infected by ingestion of infected manure, or via transmammary infection. In addition, calves may also be infected in vitro, or may ingest the bacteria via colostrum.
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Johne's disease refers to the condition caused by the mycrobacterial infection. Calves are most commonly affected by this condition, and can be infected via a number of routes. They may be infected by ingestion of infected manure, or via transmammary infection. In addition, calves may also be infected in vitro, or may ingest the bacteria via colostrum.
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==Pathogenesis==
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MAP is primarily spread through herds via faecal-oral transmission, contaminated water, in utero and through infected milk and colostrum/
There are '''three''' stages of infection in Johne's disease.
There are '''three''' stages of infection in Johne's disease.