Immunoreactive proteins of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

Johne’s disease is a Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP)-caused chronic enteritis of ruminants (bovine paratuberculosis) associated with enormous worldwide economic losses for the dairy products industries. MAP is a slow growing bacterium that can infect ruminants and remain latent for years without development of any clinical signs disease evident symptoms. The actual diagnostic tools are able to diagnose this pathology only after years of infection when a relevant number of other animals has been infected. Spread of this pathology causes economic losses because of reduced milk yield, premature culling and reduced slaughter value.