Difference between revisions of "Johne's Disease"

Revision as of 17:22, 27 July 2010

Also known as:

Paratuberculosis

Johne's Disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. This chronic mycobacterial infection primarily affects the small intestine, and is most commonly seen in cattle, sheep and goats.

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.

There are three stages of infection in Johne's disease.

Stage 1: This often goes unnoticed, as it is subclinical. It typically affects animals less than two years of age, and will advance to stage II, only a few months later.

Stage 2: This is again a subclinical infection, usually affecting older heifers, or young adults. Infected animals are apparently healthy, but are shedding infection within their manure, infecting the environment.

Stage 3: Advanced infection. Animals will show clear clinical signs, including weight loss, decreased milk production, and a severe reduction in appetite.

Animals with advanced stage 3 will appear gaunt, and the meat is no longer deemed fit for human consumption. Once the disease is present in the herd, it is ver difficult to get rid of it.

Clinical

The infection primarily affects the intestine, and causes thickening of the mucosal wall. This causes impaired function, affecting its absorptive ability. This may cause, severe emaciation, and chronic profuse diarrhoea.

Clinical signs may also develop in older cows during times of stress; around calving for example.

In advances cases the infected animal gradually fades away and dies over the course of months.

Pathogenesis

Organisms penetrate the M-cells of the Peyer's patches. Mycobacteria invade macrophages and cause a granulomatous inflammatory response. Death may result from: damage to the mucosa, not absorbing nutrients, or inflammatory loss of protein.

Pathology

Gross

Johnes Disease (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)

The infected host appears emaciated.

Fat is pale and oedematous, and only present in small amounts. Signs are confined to the terminal small intestine (especially the ileum) but are characteristic. It has diffusely thickened, velvety mucosa surface and transverse, corrugated ruggae with reddened crests. Infected animals may also have enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes

Proliferative ileitis in Johnes disease (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)

Changes are milder in sheep and goats, than seen in cows, and is symptoms are often missed.

Histologically

Histological appearance of Johnes disease (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)

There are many large macrophages (epithelioid macrophages) in mucosa, submucosa and lymph nodes. The mesenteric lymph nodes are pale and enlarged (though not necrotic), and the lamina propria is infiltrated by sheets of macrophages with some lymphocytes. Acid-fast bacteria are found in the macrophages and giant cells, and this is detected by Ziehl-Neelson stain.

Bacteria act like foreign bodies producing a type IV hypersensitivity reaction. Sheep have two different forms: 1. Paucibacillary; many T cells, and few bacilli.

2. Multibacillary: Many macrophages, many bacilli in macrophages, and few lymphocytes.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is by; Histology, Serological tests, ELISA and AGID.

60% of cases have lesions in colon and rectum and can be diagnosed by rectal biopsy.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Also known as: '''''Paratuberculosis
+{| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1"
+| Also known as:
+| '''Paratuberculosis
+|-
+|}
-Caused by '''''M avium'' subsp. ''paratuberculosis''
+Johne's Disease is caused by ''[[Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis]]''.  This chronic mycobacterial infection primarily affects the small intestine, and is most commonly seen in cattle, sheep and goats.
-==Introduction==
+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.
-Johne's Disease is a contagious and chronic disease of ruminants caused by the bacterium ''Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis''. Affected species include cattle, sheep, goats and camelids. The disease is present worldwide with the highest prevalence occurring in dairy cattle. In these animals the disease is responsible for severe economic losses due to reduced reproductive performance, increased susceptibility to disease, reduced milk production and culling losses. Subclinical carriers can occur, shedding organisms in their faeces.
-==Pathogenesis==
+There are '''three''' stages of infection in Johne's disease.
-''Mycobacterium paratuberculosis'' is an intracellular pathogen that is spread through herds via faecal-oral transmission, contaminated water and in utero. Young animals less than a year of age are most susceptible to infection and this usually occurs via ingestion of contaminated milk or colostrum. Environmental factors such as overcrowding and poor husbandry may increase the risk of infection.
-Following ingestion of ''M. paratuberculosis'' and uptake by the Peyer's patches, infection begins in the ileum. ''M. paratuberculosis'' infects macrophages in the gastrointestinal tract and lymph nodes leading to a granulomatous inflammatory response. This leads to malabsorption and a [[Protein Losing Enteropathy|protein-losing enteropathy]].
+'''Stage 1''':  This often goes unnoticed, as it is subclinical.  It typically affects animals less than two years of age, and will advance to stage II, only a few months later.
-The organism is viable in the environment for long periods of time and has a long incubation period with clinical signs appearing in cattle over 2 years of age.
+'''Stage 2''':  This is again a subclinical infection, usually affecting older heifers, or young adults.  Infected animals are apparently healthy, but are shedding infection within their manure, infecting the environment.
-==Clinical Signs==
+'''Stage 3''': Advanced infection. Animals will show clear clinical signs, including weight loss, decreased milk production, and a severe reduction in appetite.
-'''Cattle''' become infected by the bacteria as calves but do not display the clinical signs of disease until between two and five years of age. In addition animals may be affected subclinically before overt clinical signs are displayed.
-In the early stages, the disease is characterised by reduced milk production, reduced reproductive performance and increased susceptibility to infection or disease. There may be intermittent diarrhoea and weight loss.
+Animals with advanced '''stage 3''' will appear gaunt, and the meat is no longer deemed fit for human consumption.  Once the disease is present in the herd, it is ver difficult to get rid of it.
-In the later phases of infection, the clinical signs become more severe. The characteristic clinical signs are of watery 'pipe-stem' diarrhoea and severe wasting (despite maintenance of a good appetite). The disease is progressive and advanced cases may develop submandibular or ventral oedema due to a protein losing enteropathy.
+===Clinical===
+The infection primarily affects the intestine, and causes thickening of the mucosal wall. This causes impaired function, affecting its absorptive ability.  This may cause, severe emaciation, and chronic profuse diarrhoea.
-The disease is similar in '''goats''' and '''sheep''' except diarrhoea is not a feature. It is characterised mainly by weight loss.
+Clinical signs may also develop in older cows during times of stress; around calving for example.
-It may be rapidly fatal with weight loss and diarrhoea in some '''deer'''.
+In advances cases the infected animal gradually fades away and dies over the course of months.
-==Diagnosis==
+===Pathogenesis===
-Diagnosis is difficult, particularly in the case of subclinical disease as there is no single test that will detect all stages of the disease. '''Bacterial culture''' is the most definitive test but is time-consuming, requiring up to sixteen weeks for incubation.
-The most commonly used diagnostic test is the [[ELISA testing|'''ELISA''']] which detects antibodies to ''M. paratuberculosis'' in clinically affected animals. This is typically used in combination with post mortem and identification of the classic pathological lesions of the disease. Other commercially available tests include bacterial culture, '''PCR''' and '''agar gel immunodiffusion'''. Test sensitivity may be increased by using different tests in combination.
+Organisms penetrate the M-cells of the [[Peyer's Patches - Anatomy & Physiology|Peyer's patches]].
+Mycobacteria invade macrophages and cause a granulomatous inflammatory response.
+Death may result from: damage to the mucosa, not absorbing nutrients, or inflammatory loss of protein.
-Diagnosis in sheep may also be complicated due to the disease occurring in two different types in these animals. Multibacillary disease is associated with large numbers of bacteria in the gut and a high antibody response. Paucibacillary disease is characterised by few or no bacteria within the alimentary tract and is associated with a low antibody response. Due to the different type of immune response occurring with each type of disease, there is no single test available to detect the presence of disease. Definitive diagnosis is provided following post mortem exam, histopathology and culture in order to determine the type of disease present.
-Other possible tests include:
+===Pathology===
-*Serology of serum including complement fixation tests
-*Histopathology of intestines and lymph nodes
-*Isolation and identification of mycobacteria from faeces and tissues
-*Ziehl-Neelson-positive smears
-*Intradermal tuberculin test
-*DNA probes for detection in faeces
-==Gross Pathology==
+====Gross====
-[[Image:johnes disease proliferative ileitis.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Proliferative ileitis in Johnes disease (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)]]
+[[Image:johnes disease proliferative enteritis.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Johnes Disease (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)]]
-Lesions are usually localised to the terminal portion of the ileum. Lymphocytes and macrophages accumulate in the lamina propria and submucosa, resulting in marked thickening and folding of the intestinal wall. The mucosal surface is diffusely thickened with transverse, corrugated rugae which do not disappear when the intestinal wall is stretched. In sheep and goats however, the lesions usually described are nodule formation with necrosis and calcification .
+The infected host appears emaciated.
-Infected animals may also have enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes.
+Fat is pale and oedematous, and only present in small amounts.
+Signs are confined to the terminal [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]] (especially the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]]) but are characteristic.  It has diffusely thickened, velvety mucosa surface and transverse, corrugated ruggae with reddened crests.  Infected animals may also have enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes
-==Treatment==
+[[Image:johnes disease proliferative ileitis.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Proliferative ileitis in Johnes disease (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)]]
-Several studies have reported an improvement in clinical signs following antimicrobial treatment of affected animals. However the same studies have shown that faecal shedding of the bacterium still occurs following treatment, therefore such treatment does not appear to be currently viable. Control measures are aimed at providing good hygiene and husbandry, maintaining adequate stocking densities and minimising exposure of young animals to the organism. Current recommendations include providing clean, manure-free areas for cows to calve and only administering pasteurised or test-negative colostrum to new born calves. Separation and isolation of calves from affected dams is also recommended.
+Changes are milder in sheep and goats, than seen in cows, and is symptoms are often missed.
-The disease in mainly controlled by slaughter of affected animals, detection and slaughter of subclinical shedders using faecal culture, DNA probes and ELISA.
+====Histologically====
+[[Image:johnes disease histological.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Histological appearance of Johnes disease (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)]]
-Inactivated adjuvanted vaccines are available and reduce shedding of mycobacteria but do not eliminate infection.
+There are many large macrophages (epithelioid macrophages) in mucosa, submucosa and lymph nodes.
+The mesenteric lymph nodes are pale and enlarged (though not necrotic), and the lamina propria is infiltrated by sheets of macrophages with some lymphocytes.
+Acid-fast bacteria are found in the macrophages and giant cells, and this is detected by Ziehl-Neelson stain.
-{{Learning
+Bacteria act like foreign bodies producing a type IV hypersensitivity reaction.
-|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?it=any&q1=%28title%3A%28%22Johne%27s+disease%22%29+OR+title%3A%28%22Johnes+disease%22%29+OR+title%3A%28Paratuberculosis%29%29+AND+od%3A%28cattle%29&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&occuring1=freetext&show=all&rowId=1&rowId=2&rowId=3&options1=AND&options2=AND&options3=AND&occuring3=freetext&occuring2=freetext&publishedend=yyyy&la=any&publishedstart=2000&fq=sc%3A%22ve%22&y=5&x=67 Johne’s disease in cattle publications since 2000]
+Sheep have two different forms:
+. '''Paucibacillary'''; many T cells, and few bacilli.
-[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=%28%28title%3A%28%22Johne%27s+disease%22%29+OR+title%3A%28%22Johnes+disease%22%29+OR+title%3A%28Paratuberculosis%29%29+AND+%28od%3A%28sheep%29+OR+od%3A%28goats%29%29%29+&occuring1=freetext&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&publishedstart=2000&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all&x=40&y=10 Johne’s disease in sheep and goats publications since 2000]
+.  '''Multibacillary''': Many macrophages, many bacilli in macrophages, and few lymphocytes.
-|full text = [http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2005/20053177366.pdf ''' Mycobacterium paratuberculosis/Johne's disease: review & update.''' Whitlock, R. H.; Eastern States Veterinary Association, Gainesville, USA, Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference. Large animal. Volume 19, Orlando, Florida, USA, 8-12 January, 2005, 2005, pp 79-80]
-}}
-==References==
+===Diagnosis===
-* Jones, T. C., Hunt, R. D., King, N. W. (1997) '''Veterinary Pathology''' ''Wiley-Blackwell''
-* Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition)''' ''Merial''
+Diagnosis is by; Histology, Serological tests, [[ELISA]] and AGID.
+% of cases have lesions in [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]] and [[Rectum - Anatomy & Physiology|rectum]] and can be diagnosed by rectal biopsy.
-{{review}}
+[[Category:Enteritis,_Bacterial]][[Category:Enteritis, Proliferative]][[Category:Cattle]]
-[[Category:Enteritis,_Bacterial]][[Category:Enteritis, Proliferative]][[Category:Intestinal Diseases - Cattle]][[Category:Alimentary Diseases - Sheep]][[Category:Alimentary Diseases - Goat]]
+[[Category:Enteritis,_Granulomatous]]
-[[Category:Enteritis,_Granulomatous]][[Category:Deer]]
+[[Category:To_Do_-_Clinical]]
-[[Category:Brian Aldridge reviewing]]
+[[Category:To_Do_-_Max]]
-[[Category:Mycobacterium_species]]