Detection of paratuberculosis using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA in West Algeria

Paratuberculosis (Ptb), caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), is a chronic enteritis that affects many ruminants and other wild animals worldwide. Al- though the prevalence of infection is unknown in nearly all countries, many studies report that paratuberculosis is the greatest economic problem in animal health. Here, we report the occurrence of paratuberculosis in herds of cattle in the Tiaret region of Algeria, using different diagnostic procedures. Tiaret and Sougueur abattoirs were being selected representing the main parts of the province. Four hundred intestines were exam- ined from apparently healthy cattle that were slaughtered at Tiaret city (300) and Sougueur (100) slaughterhouses. Occur- rence of subclinical paratuberculosis in cattle was 54, 51, 8, and 7.5 % using histopathology, IHC, ELISA, and ZN techniques, respectively.Histopathology isreported to be abetter diagnostic tool mainly when complemented with immunohistochemistry.