Morphology

MORPHOLOGY
  • Johne’s disease or paratuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (also referred as Mycobacterium johnei).
  • The disease causes chronic, contagious fatal enteritis, which can affect cattle, sheep, goats, camels and wild ruminants.
  • Note: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection in humans is called as Crohn’s disease (chronic enteritis in human).
  • Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis are acid-fast organisms.
  • They are short rods measuring 1-2μm in width with rounded edges. They are motile and does not form spores.
  • On artificial media the organism tends to be in shorter club form.
Last modified: Monday, 4 June 2012, 5:03 AM