Vol. 8, Issue 4 (2019)

Author(s):
Gokul Chand, PP Goswami and NS Prasad

Abstract:
Paratuberculosis is a chronic progressive granulomatous enteritis of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis (Map). The disease causes significant economic losses in livestock industries worldwide. In the United States, Map-positive herds experience economic losses of almost US $100 per cow and a disease cost of US $200 to 250 million annually. ELISA based assay is ideal and sensitive for the screening of sera from infected animals. But it is also not readily adapted for rapid pen-side testing because it requires equipment and skilled technicians. The development of rapid, simple and specific assay is crucial for detection and surveillance of Map infection in animals. Therefore, in the present study, we use Map recombinant fusion 24.4 kDa protein generated in the laboratory by fusing the epitopic region of 300bp each from locus tag Map 0862 and tag Map 1637 to produce lateral flow assay (LFA). A total of 52 animals were screened by commercial kit followed by Map recombinant fusion 24.4 kDa protein based LFA. LFA showed 83.33% specificity and 70% sensitivity. Thus Map recombinant fusion 24.4 kDa protein based LFA in the present study will prove useful as a reagent in the rapid diagnosis of infected animals in the field condition.