Veterinary Medicine Commons^™

Enhancement Of Efficacy Of Prrsv Vaccines By Altering The Glycosylation Pattern Of Viral Glycoproteins, Asit K. Pattnaik

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

PRRSV, the causative agent of PRRS is of major economic significance to the pork industry in the USA and around the world. Current commercial vaccine does not provide adequate protection against PRRSV outbreaks. Therefore, there is an urgent need for development of more efficacious vaccine to combat PRRS. Our previous studies have suggested that (i) induction of neutralizing antibody response is an important correlate of evaluating the efficacy of a vaccine; (ii) neutralizing antibodies can be enhanced by hypoglycosylation of the major surface glycoprotein (GP5). While it is known that GP5 plays a prominent role in neutralizing antibody induction, it …

Otk18, A Zinc-Finger Protein, Regulates Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Long Terminal Repeat Through Two Distinct Regulatory Regions, Masahide Horiba, Lindsey B. Martinez, James L. Buescher, Sinji Sato, Jenae Limoges, Yunquan Jiang, Clinton J. Jones, Tsuneya Ikezu

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

It has previously been shown by our laboratory that OTK18, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-inducible zinc-finger protein, reduces progeny-virion production in infected human macrophages. OTK18 antiviral activity is mediated through suppression of Tat-induced HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter activity. Through the use of LTR scanning mutant vectors, the specific regions responsible for OTK18-mediated LTR suppression have been defined. Two different LTR regions were identifi ed as potential OTK18-binding sites by an enhanced DNA–transcription factor ELISA system; the negative-regulatory element (NRE) at –255/–238 and the Ets-binding site (EBS) at –150/–139 in the LTR. In addition, deletion of the EBS in …

Isotype-Specific Antibody Responses Against Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Locus Of Enterocyte Effacement Proteins In Adult Beef Cattle Following Experimental Infection, G. Bretschneider, E. M. Berberov, Rodney A. Moxley

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important food-borne pathogen and cause of hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome in humans. Cattle are an important reservoir of E. coli O157:H7, in which the organism colonizes the intestinal tract and is shed in the feces. Vaccination of cattle has significant potential as a pre-harvest intervention strategy for E. coli O157:H7; however, basic information about the bovine immune responses to important bacterial colonization factors resulting from infection has not been reported. The serum and fecal IgG and IgA antibody responses of adult cattle to E. coli O157:H7 intimin, translocated intimin receptor (Tir), E. coli …

Low Molecular Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (Lmw-Ptp) And Its Possible Physiological Functions Of Redox Signaling In The Eye Lens, Kuiyi Xing, Ashraf Raza, Stefan Lofgren, M. Rohan Fernando, Ye-Shih Ho, Marjorie F. Lou

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) was cloned from human lens epithelial B3 cells (HLE B3) and the recombinant enzyme was purified to homogeneity. The pure enzyme reacted positively with anti-LMW-PTP antibody, displayed tyrosine-specific phosphatase activity and was extremely sensitive to H2O2. The inactivated LMW-PTP could be regenerated by thioltransferase (TTase)/GSH system as demonstrated by both activity assay and by mass spectrometry (MS). The MS study also showed that an intramolecular disulfide bond was formed between C13 and C18 at the active site, and was reduced by the TTase/GSH system. The putative role of LMW-PTP in regulating platelet derived …

Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Enzootic Raccoon Rabies Adjusted For Multiple Covariates, Sergio Recuenco, Millicent Eidson, Martin Kulldorff, Glen Johnson, Bryan Cherry

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Background: With the objective of identifying spatial and temporal patterns of enzootic raccoon variant rabies, a spatial scan statistic was utilized to search for significant terrestrial rabies clusters by year in New York State in 1997–2003. Cluster analyses were unadjusted for other factors, adjusted for covariates, and adjusted for covariates and large scale geographic variation (LSGV). Adjustments were intended to identify the unusual aggregations of cases given the expected distribution based on the observed locations.

Results: Statistically significant clusters were identified particularly in the Albany, Finger Lakes, and South Hudson areas. The clusters were generally persistent in the Albany area, …

Potential Cost Savings With Terrestrial Rabies Control, Sergio Recuenco, Bryan Cherry, Millicent Eidson

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Background: The cost-benefit of raccoon rabies control strategies such as oral rabies vaccination (ORV) are under evaluation. As an initial quantification of the potential cost savings for a control program, the collection of selected rabies cost data was pilot tested for five counties in New York State (NYS) in a three-year period.

Methods: Rabies costs reported to NYS from the study counties were computerized and linked to a human rabies exposure database. Consolidated costs by county and year were averaged and compared.

Results: Reported rabies-associated costs for all rabies variants totalled $2.1 million, for human rabies postexposure prophylaxes (PEP) (90.9%), …

The Infected Cell Protein 0 Encoded By Bovine Herpesvirus 1 (Bicp0) Induces Degradation Of Interferon Response Factor 3 And, Consequently, Inhibits Beta Interferon Promoter Activity, Kazima Saira, You Zhou, Clinton J. Jones

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The ICP0 protein (bICP0) encoded by bovine herpesvirus 1 is the major viral regulatory protein because it stimulates all viral promoters and, consequently, productive infection. Like other ICP0 analogues encoded by Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily members, bICP0 contains a zinc RING finger near its amino terminus that is necessary for activating transcription, regulating subcellular localization, and inhibiting interferon-dependent transcription. In this study, we discovered that sequences near the C terminus, and the zinc RING finger, are necessary for inhibiting the human beta interferon (IFN- β) promoter. In contrast to herpes simplex virus type 1-encoded ICP0, bICP0 reduces interferon response factor 3 (IRF3), …

Localization Of Period 1 Mrna In The Ruminant Oocyte And Investigations Of Its Role In Ovarian Function, R. A. Cushman, M. F. Allan, S. A. Jones, Gary P. Rupp, S. E. Echternkamp

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The clock gene Period 1 (Per1) may be a prolificacy gene, because it localized to the mouse oocyte and Per1-null drosophila shed fewer eggs. Because Per1 mapped to a region of mouse chromosome 11 syntenic to bovine chromosome 19 where a quantitative trait loci (QTL) for ovulation rate existed, we hypothesized that Per1 influenced folliculogenesis and ovulation rate in ruminants. Ovarian cortex was collected at slaughter on days 5, 12, 15, 17, and 20 after estrus for real-time RT-PCR evaluation of Per1mRNAexpression in Dorset (n = 18), Romanov (n = 10), Romanov/Dorset (n = 21), and Composite …

Managing Bovine Tuberculosis In White-Tailed Deer In Northwestern Minnesota: A 2007 Progress Report, Michelle Carstensen, David Pauly, Michael Doncarlos, Lou Cornicelli

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Bovine tuberculosis (TB), first discovered in 2005, has now been found in 11 cattle operations in northwestern Minnesota. To date, all of the infected cattle herds have been depopulated and the Board of Animal Health (BAH) has continued an investigation of herds in the area as well as conducted a statewide surveillance effort. The strain has been identified as one that is consistent with bovine TB found in cattle in the southwestern United States and Mexico. In November 2007, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) conducted bovine TB surveillance of hunter-harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) within a …

Coyotes As Sentinels For Monitoring Bovine Tuberculosis Prevalence In White-Tailed Deer, Todd Atwood, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Thomas Deliberto, Holly Smith, Justin Stevenson

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), is endemic in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in 5 counties (Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle) in the northeastern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, USA. The presence of a wildlife reservoir of tuberculosis in Michigan and the incidence of bTB in cattle (Bos taurus) resulted in Michigan losing its bTB accredited-free status. Subsequent wildlife surveillance programs identified relatively high disease prevalence in coyotes (Canis latrans), generating interest in their potential to serve as a sentinel species to detect bTB prevalence in white-tailed deer. …

Hantavirus And Arenavirus Antibodies In Persons With Occupational Rodent Exposure, North America, Charles F. Fulhorst, Mary Louise Milazzo, Lori R. Armstrong, James E. Childs, Pierre E. Rollin, Rima Khabbaz, C.J. Peters, Thomas G G. Ksiazek

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Rodents are the principal hosts of Sin Nombre virus, 4 other hantaviruses known to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in North America, and the 3 North American arenaviruses. Serum samples from 757 persons who had worked with rodents in North America and handled neotomine or sigmodontine rodents were tested for antibodies against Sin Nombre virus, Whitewater Arroyo virus, Guanarito virus, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Antibodies against Sin Nombre virus were found in 4 persons, against Whitewater Arroyo virus or Guanarito virus in 2 persons, and against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in none. These results suggest that risk for infection with hantaviruses or …

Development Of An Assay To Determine Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In The Prion Gene For The Genetic Diagnosis Of Relative Susceptibility To Classical Scrapie In Sheep, Mary Lynn Johnson, Jessica M. Evoniuk, Charles L. Stoltenow, Katherine I. O'Rourke, Dale A. Redmer

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

The objective of this study was to develop a reliable Taqman® 5' Nuclease Assay for genotyping sheep for scrapie susceptibility. The sheep prion gene contains 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may mediate resistance to classical scrapie, one at codon 136, alanine (A) or valine (V), and another at codon 171, arginine (R) or glutamine (Q). The R allele appears to confer resistance to classical scrapie, with the AA₁₃₆ RR₁₇₁ genotype the most resistant to scrapie and QR₁₇₁ only rarely infected in the US sheep population. The Assays by Design^SM protocol was used for development of …

The Birth Of A Wild Ass (Equus Hemionus Khur) In India’S Little Rann Of Kutch, Gertrud Neumann-Denzau

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

The birth of a wild ass was completely described and photographed in the wild for the first time. It happened in the daytime, in the open desert, and in the vicinity of other wild asses. The mother isolated her foal afterwards for an entire day. After birthing she drove away her male yearling, which did not join her any longer from this moment on.

Avian Influenza Vaccination: A Commentary Focusing On H5n1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza, Karen Burns Grogan, David A. Halvorson, Richard D. Slemons

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Avian influenza (AI) is a viral disease of poultry, caused by influenzavirus A, classified in the family Orthomyxoviridiae. The influenza A viruses maintained in birds are commonly referred to as avian influenza viruses (AIVs). The AIVs are antigenically, genetically, and biologically diverse, are found worldwide in birds, and infect a variety of avian species.

Department Of Veterinary And Biomedical Sciences 2007 Annual Report

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Information and History

The first class of twenty· five Nebraska students began their DVM degree program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The new program provides for students from Nebraska to complete their first two years of the professional school at UNL. The second two years of training will be completed at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University. Under the agreement, the students will pay Iowa State resident tuition rates all four years.

To prepare for the new program, an anatomy teaching laboratory, classroom and microbiology laboratory were develop by renovating space in the Animal Science Complex. New faculty members hired to …

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Project: 2007 Activities Report

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is close to being eradicated in the United States, but still poses a significant risk to domestic livestock, wildlife, companion animals, and humans throughout the world. The Michigan Bovine TB Eradication Project involves a multi-agency team of experts from the Michigan departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Health, Michigan State University, and the US Department of Agriculture.

Research Strategies To Reduce Bovine Tuberculosis Transmission From Wildlife To Cattle, Are R. Brentensen, Mike R. Dunbar, Robert G. Mclean

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mycobaterium bovis, and is transmissible to humans, wildlife and domestic livestock. In the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) serve as a reservoir for the disease and pose a significant threat to domestic cattle and captive cervids. Scientists at USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center have designed a variety of laboratory and field studies aimed at reducing or eliminating bTB infection in cattle by interrupting the transmission of the disease from wildlife reservoirs. These strategies include reducing bTB in deer by delivery of …

Research Strategies Of The National Wildlife Research Center To Control Bovine Tuberculosis In Wildlife In Michigan, Usa, A. R. Berentsen, M. R. Dunbary, R. G. Mclean

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mycobaterium bovis and is transmissible to humans, wildlife, and domestic livestock. In the United Kingdom, the suspected wildlife reservoir of bTB is the badger (Meles meles) (HUTCHINGS and HARRIS, 1997), and in New Zealand, the culprit is the brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) (MORRIS et al., 1994). In northern Michigan, USA, bovine tuberculosis is endemic in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In 1975 a hunter-killed white-tailed deer in Alpena County, Michigan, USA, was tested positive for bTB. Subsequent surveillance by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) …

Risk Factors Associated With The Prevalence Of Tuberculosis-Like Lesions In Fenced Wild Boar And Red Deer In South Central Spain, Joaquin Vicente, Ursula Hofle, Joseba M. Garrido, Isabel G. Fernandez-De-Mera, Pelayo Acevedo, Ramon Juste, Marta Barral, Christian Gortazar

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

In recent decades the management of large game mammals has become increasingly intensive in south central Spain (SCS), resulting in complex epidemiological scenarios for disease maintenance, and has probably impeded schemes to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in domestic livestock. We conducted an analysis of risk factors which investigated associations between the pattern of tuberculosis-like lesions (TBL) in wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) across 19 hunting estates from SCS and an extensive set of variables related to game management, land use and habitat structure. The aggregation of wild boar at artificial watering sites was …

Vaccination Of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) With Mycobacterium Bovis Bacillus Calmette Guerin, M. V. Palmer, T. C. Thacker, W. R. Waters

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Wildlife reservoirs of Mycobacterium bovis represent serious obstacles to the eradication of tuberculosis in domestic livestock. In Michigan, USA tuberculous white-tailed deer transmit M. bovis to cattle. One approach in dealing with this wildlife reservoir is to vaccinate deer in order to interrupt the cycle of deer to deer and deer to cattle transmission. Thirty-one white-tailed deer were assigned to one of three groups; 2 SC doses of 10⁷ CFU of M. bovis BCG (n = 11); 1 SC dose of 10⁷ CFU of M. bovis BCG (n = 10); or unvaccinated deer (n = 10). …

Differential Engagement Of Tim-1 During Activation Can Positively Or Negatively Costimulate T Cell Expansion And Effector Function, Vijay K. Kuchroo, Sheng Xiao, Nader Najafian, Jay Reddy, Monica Albin, Chen Zhu, Eric Jensen, Jaimie Imitola, Thomas Korn, Ana C. Anderson, Zheng Zhang, Cristina Gutierrez, Thomas Moll, Raymond A. Sobel, Dale T. Umetsu, Hideo Yagita, Hisaya Akiba, Terry Strom, Mohamed H. Sayegh, Rosemarie H. Dekruyff, Samia J. Khoury

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

It has been suggested that T cell immunoglobulin mucin (Tim)-1 expressed on T cells serves to positively costimulate T cell responses. However, crosslinking of Tim-1 by its ligand Tim-4 resulted in either activation or inhibition of T cell responses, thus raising the issue of whether Tim-1 can have a dual function as a costimulator. To resolve this issue, we tested a series of monoclonal antibodies specifi c for Tim-1 and identifi ed two antibodies that showed opposite functional effects. One anti–Tim-1 antibody increased the frequency of antigen-specifi c T cells, the production of the proinfl ammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17, …

Protostrongylid Parasites And Pneumonia In Captive And Wild Thinhorn Sheep (Ovis Dalli), Emily J. Jenkins, A. M. Veitch, Susan J. Kutz, T. K. Bollinger, J. M. Chirino-Trejo, B. T. Elkin, K. H. West, Eric P. Hoberg, L. Polley

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

We describe health significance of protostrongylid parasites (Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei and Protostrongylus stilesi) and other respiratory pathogens in more than 50 naturally infected Dall’s sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) from the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories (1998–2002) as well as in three Stone’s sheep (O. d. stonei) experimentally infected with P. odocoilei (2000–2002). Histological lesions in the brain and distribution of P. odocoilei in the muscles of experimentally and naturally infected sheep were consistent with a previously hypothesized ‘‘central nervous system to muscle’’ pattern of migration for P. odocoilei. Dimensions of granulomas associated with eggs of …

Chlorophacinone Baiting For Belding’S Ground Squirrels, Craig A. Ramey, George H. Matschke, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The efficacy of using 0.01% chlorophacinone on steam-rolled oat (SRO) groats applied in CA alfalfa by spot-baiting/hand baiting around burrow entrances (~11.5 g) to control free-ranging Belding's ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi) were compared in 6 randomly assigned square treatment units (TUs). Four TUs were given the rodenticide and 2 treated with placebo bait. Each TU was a 0.4 ha square surrounded by a similarly treated 5.5 ha square buffer zone. Baits were applied on May 13 and re-applied, on May 20 and May 22, after 7 days of un-forecasted cool wet weather greatly reduced their above ground activity. Pesticide (EPA …

Transfusion-Associated Transmission Of West Nile Virus, United States 2003 Through 2005, Susan P. Montgomery, Jennifer A. Brown, Matthew Kuehnert, Theresa L. Smith, Nicholas Crall, Robert S. Lanciotti, Alexandre Macedo De Oliveira, Thomas Boo, Anthony A. Marfin, 2003 West Nile Virus Transfusion-Associated Transmission Investigation Team

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

BACKGROUND: National blood donation screening for West Nile virus (WNV) started in June 2003, after the documentation of WNV transfusion-associated transmission (TAT) in 2002.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood donations were screened with investigational nucleic acid amplification assays in minipool formats. Blood collection agencies (BCAs) reported screening results to state and local public health authorities. Donor test results and demographic information were forwarded to CDC via ArboNET, the national electronic arbovirus surveillance system. State health departments and BCAs also reported suspect WNV TATs to CDC, which investigated these reports to confirm WNV infection in blood transfusion recipients in the absence …

Anti-Capsular Antibodies Activate Killing Of Escherichia Coli O8:K87 By The Alternate Complement Pathway In Porcine Serum, N. M. Clark, E. M. Berberov, M. Wang, Rodney A. Moxley

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains that produce K88 (F4) ⁺ fimbria are important causes of diarrhea and post-diarrheal septicemia in swine. ETEC O8:K87, a serotype represented by a number of these strains, is typically serum resistant. Strain-specific antibodies are known to activate alternative C pathway-mediated killing of other serum-resistant E. coli [Hill, A.W., Shears, A.L., Hibbitt, K.G., 1978. The requirement of specific antibody for the killing of E. coli by the alternate complement pathway in bovine serum. Immunology 34, 131–136], but their antigenic targets have not been determined. We tested the hypothesis that anti-K87 antibodies activate alternative pathway-mediated killing of …

Development Of A Gis-Based, Real-Time Internet Mapping Tool For Rabies Surveillance, Jesse D. Blanton, Arie Manangan, Jamie Manangan, Cathleen A. Hanlon, Dennis Slate, Charles E. Rupprecht

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Background: Oral rabies vaccination programs have been implemented to control the spread of wildlife rabies in the United States. However, current surveillance systems are inadequate for the efficient management and evaluation of these large scale vaccine baiting programs. With this in mind, a GIS-based rabies surveillance database and Internet mapping application was created. This surveillance system, RabID, provides a new resource for the rapid mapping and dissemination of data on animal rabies cases in relation to unaffected, enzootic, and baited areas where current interventions are underway.

Results: RabID is a centralized database for diagnostic and demographic information collected by local, …

Sub-Typing Of Prrsv Isolates By Means Of Measurement Of Cross-Neutralization Reactions, Fernando A. Osorio

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The degree of similitude or closeness between two different isolates or strains of PRRSV is very important for deciding which strains should be used for immunization, by either vaccinating with commercial vaccines or attempting to stabilize a herd with planned wt PRRSV infection. As previously known for certain important viral diseases, such as in Foot and Mouth Disease, the reciprocal (cross-) neutralization titers between two strains may be of utmost importance to establish the degree of similarity or difference between these. There is currently a void of methods that would allow distinguishing or grouping strains of PRRSV in a manner …

Disease Risks Associated With Increasing Feral Swine Numbers And Distribution In The United States, Thomas Hutton, Thomas J. Deliberto, Sheldon Owen, Bruce Morrison

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Feral hogs or “wild boars” come from several sources and include released or escaped domestic swine and the truly wild European boar. When free-roaming in North America, all are included in the term “feral swine,” as are hybrids of the two types. Although morphologically distinct, both the feral swine and European wild swine are recognized as Sus scrofa. The physical damage caused by feral swine has been well documented and includes damage to vehicles, vineyards, tree plantings, archaeological sites, agricultural crops, turf, soils, rare plant communities, and wildlife habitat (Seward et al. 2004). In addition they compete with livestock …

Visualization Of Intracellular Transport Of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Nucleocapsids In Living Cells, Subash C. Das, Debasis Nayak, You Zhou, Asit K. Pattnaik

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The phosphoprotein (P) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a subunit of the viral RNA polymerase. In previous studies, we demonstrated that insertion of 19 amino acids in the hinge region of the protein had no significant effect on P protein function. In the present study, we inserted full-length enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) in frame into the hinge region of P and show that the fusion protein (PeGFP) is functional in viral genome transcription and replication, albeit with reduced activity. A recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus encoding PeGFP in place of the P protein (VSV-PeGFP), which possessed reduced growth kinetics …

Development Of Luminescent Mycobacterium Avium Subsp. Paratuberculosis For Rapid Screening Of Vaccine Candidates In Mice, Valerie Rosseels, Virginie Roupie, Denise K. Zinniel, Raul G. Barletta, Kris Huygen

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is a slowly growing mycobacterial species, requiring 6 to 8 weeks of culture before colonies can be counted visually. Here, we describe the development of luminescent M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis expressing luxAB genes of Vibrio harveyi and its use for vaccine testing in an experimental mouse model, replacing fastidious CFU counting by rapid luminometry.