Changes in Within-Flock Prevalence of Mycobacterium Avian Paratuberculosis Shedding Following Vaccination with Gudair in High & Low Prevalence Flocks

Summary

​Johne’s disease is a significant international problem because of the direct impact on animal health and welfare and its possible public health implications. It is essential that Australia has the capacity to deal with diseases such as Johne’s disease and this necessitates maintenance of expertise to work at international levels of competence. In this project new diagnostic test methods and advanced immunological, molecular biological and proteomic technologies were developed and applied to sheep for the first time. Industry will benefit from this work immediately as a new test for Johne’s disease is ready to be validated in 2008. This will provide a result within 48 hours with accuracy equivalent to or greater than radiometric culture of faeces. Advances considered by MLA to have commercial potential are protected by provisional patent for the benefit of the livestock sector. Johne’s disease potentially can be detected early in life and removed from a flock before causing harm or spreading. Research will continue to achieve this aim.​