Spread of infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) in cattle herds in Saxony and Thuringia on herd level

Region-wide examinations performed by means of a consistent method are inevitable to evaluate the prevalence of Paratuberculosis in a certain area. An inexpensive and easy sampling system is the proof of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in sock swabs for the diagnostic regarding herds. The study on hand aimed to provide a first assessment of the prevalence relative to herds in Saxony and Thuringia. One sock swab each was sampled of 225 cattle herds (Saxony: 108, Thuringia: 117) and scrutinized for MAP. By means of a questionnaire informations were compiled concerning herd size, production type and their influence on the prevalence using a logistic regression model. Sixty-eight (30,2%) samples were analysed with positive and 157 (69,8%) with negative results. MAP sock swabs had been determined significantly more frequently in cattle herds with more than 100 cows (odds ratio 4,13). Yet, regarding production type (dairy farms: 32%, suckler cow farms: 19,5% positive PCR-screening) no considerable differences became apparent. To account for sensitivity and specificity of the applied diagnostic tests, a true prevalence of 34 % (95% CI: 20 to 48%) regarding Saxon's and 56% (95% CI: 42 to 70%) regarding Thuringia's herds was estimated. Due to the results paratuberculosis appears in a substantial percentage in Saxon's and Thuringia's cattle herds. Big herds are more frequently affected than smaller herds. To contain a future spread of MAP target diagnostics combined with control and prevention measures should be established.