Paratuberculosis in small ruminants in the Sudan: prevalence and risk factors
Abstract Background Paratuberculosis (PTB), caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is a contagious and chronic enteric disease of ruminants and many non-ruminants leading to emaciation and death of the animal. PTB is poorly investigated in sheep and goats in Sudan, where these...
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2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04920-8 |
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| author | Sanaa M. Idris Wisal A. Elmagzoub Julius B. Okuni Lonzy Ojok Mohamed E. Mukhtar Enass M. Abdalla Sulieman M. El Sanousi Ahmad Amanzada Uwe Truyen Ahmed Abd El Wahed ElSagad Eltayeb Kamal H. Eltom Ahmed A. Gameel |
| author_facet | Sanaa M. Idris Wisal A. Elmagzoub Julius B. Okuni Lonzy Ojok Mohamed E. Mukhtar Enass M. Abdalla Sulieman M. El Sanousi Ahmad Amanzada Uwe Truyen Ahmed Abd El Wahed ElSagad Eltayeb Kamal H. Eltom Ahmed A. Gameel |
| author_sort | Sanaa M. Idris |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Paratuberculosis (PTB), caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is a contagious and chronic enteric disease of ruminants and many non-ruminants leading to emaciation and death of the animal. PTB is poorly investigated in sheep and goats in Sudan, where these animals contribute significantly to food security and poverty alleviation as sources of income. They also play an important role in the national economy through animal exports. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of PTB and associated risk factors in small ruminants. Blood and faecal samples were collected from 818 sheep and goats aged > 1 year in 111 flocks distributed over five states (Blue Nile, West Kordofan, Khartoum, the Gezira and White Nile) of the country from November 2020 to October 2022. Serum samples were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of MAP antibodies and the faecal samples were tested for MAP DNA using a recombinase aided amplification (RAA) assay. Results The overall true animal-level prevalence of PTB was 10.7% by RAA (4.2% in sheep, 6.5% in goats) and 1.7% by ELISA (0.7% in sheep, 1.0% in goats). At the flock level, prevalence was 41.8% by RAA and 8.5% by ELISA. While no significant associations were found between animal-level factors and PTB, several flock-level factors including breed homogeneity, source of new animals, management system, animal movement, separation of sick animals, and flock history of PTB were significantly associated with MAP detection (P < 0.05). Conclusions The high flock-level prevalence of MAP DNA indicates a potential risk for environmental dissemination, especially under open grazing systems. Despite the relatively low seroprevalence, molecular detection suggests subclinical infection may be underdiagnosed. These findings highlight the importance of using combined diagnostic methods for effective PTB surveillance and control. Improved flock management practices are recommended to reduce MAP transmission and environmental contamination. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e59a8138789495b86f31c67f2890123 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e59a8138789495b86f31c67f28901232025-08-20T03:05:03ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-07-0121111010.1186/s12917-025-04920-8Paratuberculosis in small ruminants in the Sudan: prevalence and risk factorsSanaa M. Idris0Wisal A. Elmagzoub1Julius B. Okuni2Lonzy Ojok3Mohamed E. Mukhtar4Enass M. Abdalla5Sulieman M. El Sanousi6Ahmad Amanzada7Uwe Truyen8Ahmed Abd El Wahed9ElSagad Eltayeb10Kamal H. Eltom11Ahmed A. Gameel12Department of Animal Health and Safety of Animal Products, Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports, University of KhartoumDepartment of Animal Health and Safety of Animal Products, Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports, University of KhartoumCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere UniversityDepartment of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of KhartoumDepartment of Animal Health and Safety of Animal Products, Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports, University of KhartoumDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of KhartoumDepartment of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Centre GöttingenInstitute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of LeipzigInstitute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of LeipzigFaculty of Medicine, Al Neelain University/ Ibn Sina Specialised HospitalDepartment of Animal Health and Safety of Animal Products, Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports, University of KhartoumDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of KhartoumAbstract Background Paratuberculosis (PTB), caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is a contagious and chronic enteric disease of ruminants and many non-ruminants leading to emaciation and death of the animal. PTB is poorly investigated in sheep and goats in Sudan, where these animals contribute significantly to food security and poverty alleviation as sources of income. They also play an important role in the national economy through animal exports. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of PTB and associated risk factors in small ruminants. Blood and faecal samples were collected from 818 sheep and goats aged > 1 year in 111 flocks distributed over five states (Blue Nile, West Kordofan, Khartoum, the Gezira and White Nile) of the country from November 2020 to October 2022. Serum samples were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of MAP antibodies and the faecal samples were tested for MAP DNA using a recombinase aided amplification (RAA) assay. Results The overall true animal-level prevalence of PTB was 10.7% by RAA (4.2% in sheep, 6.5% in goats) and 1.7% by ELISA (0.7% in sheep, 1.0% in goats). At the flock level, prevalence was 41.8% by RAA and 8.5% by ELISA. While no significant associations were found between animal-level factors and PTB, several flock-level factors including breed homogeneity, source of new animals, management system, animal movement, separation of sick animals, and flock history of PTB were significantly associated with MAP detection (P < 0.05). Conclusions The high flock-level prevalence of MAP DNA indicates a potential risk for environmental dissemination, especially under open grazing systems. Despite the relatively low seroprevalence, molecular detection suggests subclinical infection may be underdiagnosed. These findings highlight the importance of using combined diagnostic methods for effective PTB surveillance and control. Improved flock management practices are recommended to reduce MAP transmission and environmental contamination.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04920-8ParatuberculosisSmall ruminantsMycobacterium avium subsp. ParatuberculosisRecombinase aided amplification |
| spellingShingle | Sanaa M. Idris Wisal A. Elmagzoub Julius B. Okuni Lonzy Ojok Mohamed E. Mukhtar Enass M. Abdalla Sulieman M. El Sanousi Ahmad Amanzada Uwe Truyen Ahmed Abd El Wahed ElSagad Eltayeb Kamal H. Eltom Ahmed A. Gameel Paratuberculosis in small ruminants in the Sudan: prevalence and risk factors BMC Veterinary Research Paratuberculosis Small ruminants Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis Recombinase aided amplification |
| title | Paratuberculosis in small ruminants in the Sudan: prevalence and risk factors |
| title_full | Paratuberculosis in small ruminants in the Sudan: prevalence and risk factors |
| title_fullStr | Paratuberculosis in small ruminants in the Sudan: prevalence and risk factors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Paratuberculosis in small ruminants in the Sudan: prevalence and risk factors |
| title_short | Paratuberculosis in small ruminants in the Sudan: prevalence and risk factors |
| title_sort | paratuberculosis in small ruminants in the sudan prevalence and risk factors |
| topic | Paratuberculosis Small ruminants Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis Recombinase aided amplification |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04920-8 |
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