This information is currently being disseminated at meetings. The infection rate in the flock at Cornell has decreased. One student who worked on the project, Alicia Nedrow, is now employed by the USDA, in part, because of her experience in this research area.
impact statement issue
The sheep producers of New York and the rest of the country are concerned about this issue, as many flocks are infected with M. paratuberculosis. Since there is no way to identify infected animals to cull, the infection is considered to be endemic within the flock if an animal is discovered to have the disease, usually upon autopsy. Millions of dollars in losses happen each year as a result of this disease.
impact statement response
We have identified immune responses that are associated with a specific response to M. paratuberculosis in animals that do not show clinical signs of disease. In part, this discovery involved modulation of existing assays to increase their sensitivity. We have also used the results of these assays to determine in what stage of disease the animals are, as well as whether vaccination with the cattle vaccine (Mycopar) induces protection and the mechanisms involved. We are currently validating our results using sheep that have been shown to be infected by the current gold standard assay, AGID.
impact statement summary
This study characterizes the immune responses of sheep to M. paratuberculosis infection and whether vaccination with the cattle vaccine, Mycopar, is protective. In the process, this study should also identify biomarkers of infection. The presence of these markers can be used to identify infected animals before clinical disease and limit or prevent infection within the flock.
