Cross species transmission of Ovine Johne's Disease - Phase 2 cattle.

Abstract

One thousand seven hundred and seventy four cattle from 12 properties were sampled by ELISA and faecal culture to detect Johne’s Disease. All properties had a known significant history of Johne’s disease in sheep. They were mostly selected from participants in NOJDP Trial 1.1 (a study to examine the effectiveness of an eradication strategy) and had cattle known to be susceptible to JD at the time that their properties were infected with OJD. All gave negative results on serology; only one animal from a herd of 349 gave a single positive faecal culture result, with all follow-up investigations being negative, suggesting passive transfer of the organism. Due to the small size of some of the herds tested, and the fact that no confirmed infected animals or herds were detected, it is not possible to give maximum estimate of the prevalence of OJD in exposed susceptible cattle. However, using information derived from previous investigations and some additional results in the addendum to this project report, it is known that there are at least 6 cattle herds infected with “S” strain, in NSW, at the present time.