ABSTRACT
Objective/Background: Paratuberculosis is an economically important, chronic, and incurable disease in ruminants, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis [MAP]. Understanding the genetic variability of MAP strains is important in diagnosis, epidemiological investigation, and the formation of strategies for prevention and control of the disease
Methods: In the present study, a total of 61 MAP isolates obtained from different parts and species of India were typed using IS1311 polymerase chain reaction-restriction endonuclease analysis [PCR-REA] to analyze the genetic difference[s], if any, between them and the host adaptation
Results: Based on PCR-REA results, bison B type was detected in 54 [87%] MAP isolates obtained from cattle, sheep, and goats. Of these, 19 were from sheep of the Rajasthan [a = 17] and Bareilly [n = 2], North India regions, 28 were from cattle of Chennai, South India [a = 3], Bareilly, North India [n = 3], and Nagpur, West India [a = 22], and seven goat isolates from Bareilly, North India region. The 'C' type strain was detected in only seven cattle isolates obtained from the Bareilly region
Conclusion: The study revealed that in India, bison B-type MAP strains were prevalent in most of the ruminant species. These results have important epidemiological implications with regard to control and prevention of paratuberculosis in India