Seroprevalans of subclinical paratuberculosis in dairy cattle in Kirklareli region of Turkey

Paratuberculosis is a contagious, chronic and deadly disease affecting the primary cattle produced by Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis.It has a long-term subclinical phase. In this period, the disease can be transmitted to healthy animals by the patients.It raises important economical losses in dairy cattle farms.It is also reported that paratuberculosis is zoonotic and plays a key role in Crohn's disease observed in humans.The condition of the disease in Turkey has been known for many years. Researchs have been conducted in order to determine the prevalence of paratuberculosis in different regions. However, as far as we know, there is no actual prevalence study covering the Kırklareli region. Purpose of this study was to define the prevalence of subclinical paratuberculosis in Kırklareli region which is important in terms of milk cattle breeding.Agent detection was done by ELISA in serum samples.The research animal material consisted of 400 multiparous Holstein dairy cattle with optimal milk yield and live weight, clinically healthy, aged 3-4 years.Within the scope of the study, a total of 23 farms were randomly sampled in eight different districts, including the Kırklareli center. As a result of the present study, the seroprevalence of subclinical paratuberculosis was 1.5% positive, 1.5% suspected and 97% negative in Kırklareli region in dairy cattle.