Johne's disease research

Student: Muhammad Jehangir Asghar

Supervisor: Karin Orsel

Committee members: John Gilleard, Jeroen De Buck

Best management practices to control Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis on Alberta dairy farms

Graduate student: Robert Wolf

Supervisors: Karin Orsel and Herman Barkema

Supervisory committee: Shawn McKenna, Jeroen De Buck and Steve Mason

Details:

Supervisors: Karin Orsel and Herman Barkema

Supervisory committee: Steve Mason, Jeroen De Buck, Shawn McKenna

Research around the Alberta Johne’s Disease Initiative (AJDI): The AJDI is a management-based Johne’s disease control program including annual collection of environmental samples, and a risk assessment and a management plan with suggestions for management changes delivered by the herd veterinarians. The research focusses within this project are determining: 1) the true herd prevalence of MAP in Alberta; 2) the sensitivity of environmental samples collected at different locations; 3) baseline management and effectiveness of management practices for the control of MAP on dairy farms; and 4) adoption of new management practices and factors that influence the adoption rates. We have also performed an economic evaluation of participation in the AJDI.

Shedding of MAP by calves: We found during an experimental trial that many MAP-infected calves shed MAP in their feces and can potentially infect pen mates. This research project tests those findings in the field and estimates the proportions of MAP shedding animals and contaminated group housing pens on infected farms.

Alternative method for collection of environmental samples: AJDI data analysis showed that collection of environmental samples can be challenging during the winter and that the accuracy of samples depends on the location of sample collection. This project evaluates sampling socks, a method used for Salmonella testing in poultry, for the use in MAP testing on dairy farms.

Within-herd prevalence as a predictor for the accuracy of tests for MAP: The performance of different tests for MAP infection has predominantly been evaluated in high prevalence farms. We selected high and low prevalence farms to compare the accuracy of different individual and herd level tests between the two groups of farms.

Effectiveness of on farm colostrum pasteurization for the control of MAP on dairy farms: Colostrum pasteurization is a frequently used tool to control the spread of diseases on dairy farm. This project estimates the effectiveness of colostrum pasteurization through the use of qPCR. Viability of bacteria is determined through the use of a selective endonuclease.

Peer-reviewed Manuscripts

  1. R Wolf, F Clement, HW Barkema, and K Orsel. 2014. Economic evaluation of participation in a voluntary Johne’s disease prevention and control program from a farmer’s perspective - the Alberta Johne’s Disease Initiative. J. Dairy Sci. 97:2822-2834.
  2. R Mortier, HW Barkema, JM Bystrom, O Illanes, K Orsel, R Wolf, G Atkins, and J De Buck. 2013. Evaluation of age-dependent susceptibility in calves infected with two doses of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis using pathology and tissue culture. Vet. Res. 44:94.

 

Proceedings: Oral presentations after peer-review process of submitted abstract

  1. R Wolf, HW Barkema, J De Buck, and K Orsel. Shedding of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) by dairy calves. UCVM research day, March 2014, Calgary, AB, Canada.
  2. A Lucko, R Wolf, K Orsel, J De Buck, F Postma, and HW Barkema. The effect of pasteurization on the number of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in colostrum. UCVM summer undergraduate research day, August 2013, Calgary, AB, Canada.
  3. R Mortier, HW Barkema, K Orsel, R Wolf, M Negron, and J De Buck. Age and dose dependent susceptibility to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in dairy calves. International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics 2012, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
  4. R Wolf, HW Barkema, J De Buck, R Mortier, and K Orsel. Use of cow characteristics to explain differences in Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis ELISA results between serum and milk samples. International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, August 2012, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
  5. HW Barkema, E McDonald, R Wolf, M Slomp, J Flaig, C Pickel, G Ollis, S Mason, J De Buck and K Orsel. An update on the Alberta Johne’s Disease Initiative. Western Canadian Dairy Seminar. Red Deer, March 2012, AB, Canada.
  6. R Mortier, HW Barkema, K Orsel, R Wolf, and J De Buck. The onset of detectable immune responses and fecal shedding after experimental infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis, February 2012, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
  7. R Wolf, H Barkema, J De Buck, R Mortier, and K Orsel. Test comparison for MAP infections in low prevalence herds. International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis, February 2012, Sydney, NSW, Australia

 

Proceedings: Oral presentations without peer-review proces

  1. R Wolf, HW Barkema, J De Buck, and K Orsel. Surveillance of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis on Western Canadian dairy farms using environmental samples. Animal Disease Risk Assessment and Surveillance Symposium, April 2013, Calgary, AB, Canada.
  2. R Wolf, HW Barkema, J De Buck, and K Orsel. Evaluation of an alternative environmental sample collection method to detect MAP on dairy farms. Canadian MAP researchers meeting, October 2013, Banff, AB, Canada.
  3. A Lucko, R Wolf, K Orsel, J De Buck, F Postma, and HW Barkema. The effect of pasteurization on the number of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in colostrum. Canadian MAP researchers meeting, October 2013, Banff, AB, Canada.
  4. R Wolf, F Clement, HW Barkema, and K Orsel. Economic evaluation of participation in the Alberta Johne’s disease Initiative. Canadian MAP researchers meeting, October 2012, Banff, AB, Canada.
  5. R Mortier, HW Barkema, K Orsel, R Wolf, and J De Buck. Distribution of MAP in tissues of experimentally infected calves. Canadian MAP researchers meeting, October 2012, Banff, AB, Canada.
  6. R Wolf, HW Barkema, J De Buck, R Mortier, and K Orsel. Test comparisons for Map in low prevalence herds. Canadian MAP researchers meeting, October 2011, Banff, AB, Canada.
  7. HW Barkema, G Ollis, E McDonald, M Slomp, A Wellen, K Orsel, J De Buck, and R Wolf. Alberta Johne’s disease Initiative. Canadian MAP researchers meeting, October 2010, Banff, AB, Canada.
  8. R Wolf, K Orsel, HW Barkema, and J De Buck. Risk assessment and environmental sampling as useful tools to control Map in dairy farms. Canadian MAP researchers meeting, October 2010, Banff, AB, Canada.

 

Presentations for producer groups and other lay public

  1. R Wolf, F Clement, HW Barkema, and K Orsel. Economic evaluation of participation in the Alberta Johne’s disease Initiative from a farmer’s perspective. Dairy Research Day (DRECA), March 2013, Calgary, AB, Canada.
  2. R Wolf, HW Barkema, E McDonald, B Mason, G Ollis, M Slomp, J De Buck, C Pickel, J Flaig and K Orsel. Research around the Alberta Johne’s Disease Initiative (AJDI). Dairy Research Day (DRECA), May 2012, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
  3. R Wolf, K Orsel, C Pickel, J Flaig, HW Barkema. Procedures within the Alberta Johne’s disease Initiative. Annual AJDI veterinarian training seminars, May 2011 – ongoing, Red Deer and Calgary, AB, Canada.
  4. R Wolf, K Orsel, HW Barkema. Prevalence and risk factors for Johne’s disease on dairy farms. Producer meetings, November 2011 - December 2011, Olds and Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
  5. R Wolf, K Orsel, HW Barkema. Update on research around the Alberta Johne’s Disease Initiative (AJDI). Quarter annual meeting of the AJDI advisory committee, January 2011 – ongoing, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

 

Proceedings: Poster presentation

  1. R Wolf, HW Barkema, J De Buck, R Wester, C Corbett, R Mortier and K Orsel. MAP shedding patterns in dairy calves. International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis (ICP), June 2014, Parma, Italy. (link to poster)
  2. R Wolf, HW Barkema, J De Buck and K Orsel. Evaluation of an alternative environmental sampling method for detection of MAP. International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis (ICP), June 2014, Parma, Italy. (link to poster)
  3. C Ritter, R Wolf, S Mason, J Flaig, M Slomp, C Pickel, J De Buck, K Orsel, and HW Barkema. Communication extension to Alberta dairy farmers. Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, March 2014, Red Deer, AB, Canada.
  4. R Wolf, HW Barkema, J De Buck, R Mortier, R Wester, and K Orsel. MAP-infected calves shed the bacterium in their feces and can potentially infect pen mates. Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, March 2014, Red Deer, AB, Canada.
  5. R Wolf, F Clement, HW Barkema, and K Orsel. Economic evaluation of participation in the Alberta Johne’s disease Initiative. Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, March 2013, Red Deer, AB, Canada.
  6. R Wolf, HW Barkema,E McDonald, S Mason, G Ollis, M Slomp, J De Buck and K Orsel. Comparison of management characteristics between Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis positive and negative herds. International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (ISVEE), August 2012, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
  7. R Mortier, HW. Barkema, M Drissler, R Wolf, K Orsel, J De Buck. Age and dose dependent susceptibility to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in dairy calves. Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, March 2012, Red Deer, AB, Canada.
  8. K Orsel, R Wolf, E McDonald, B Mason, G Ollis, M Slomp, J De Buck, and HW Barkema. Herd level prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Alberta dairy herds using environmental samples. International colloquium on Paratuberculosis, February 2012, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
  9. R Wolf, HW Barkema, EMcDonald, B Mason, G Ollis, M Slomp, J De Buck, and K Orsel. Bottlenecks in best management practices identified in the Alberta Johne’s disease initiative (AJDI). International colloquium on Paratuberculosis, February 2012, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
  10. R Wolf, HW Barkema, J De Buck, B Mason, and K Orsel. The Alberta Johne’s Disease Initiative (AJDI) and UCVM’s related research. Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, March 2011, Red Deer, AB, Canada. 

Our research is funded by Alberta Milk, and ALMA

Graduate student: Caroline Corbett

Supervisors: Herman Barkema and Jeroen De Buck

Supervisory committee: Karin Orsel and John Kastelic

 

Graduate student: Rienske Mortier

Supervisors: Herman Barkema and Jeroen De Buck

Supervisory committee: Karin Orsel and Doug Morck 

 

Graduate student: Larissa Martins

Supervisors: Herman Barkema and Karin Orsel

Supervisory committee: Jeroen De Buck