Intrauterine Infection by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Intrauterine Infection by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

This study reports the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) in the uterus and fetus of a buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Samples of the buffalo cow’s ileum, mesenteric lymph node, uterus and placenta as well as various fetal organs were collected. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), histopathology (hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining) and Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining were performed. Histopathological analysis revealed lesions consistent with paratuberculosis (PTB) in the mesenteric lymph node and small intestine, and ZN staining revealed the presence of acid-alcohol resistant bacilli (AARB). Histological lesions were not identified in fetal tissues. qPCR indicated that uterus, mesenteric lymph node and small intestine samples from the buffalo cow were positive for Map. In contrast, in the fetus, only samples from the digestive tract were positive for Map based on qPCR data. These results indicate that Map is present in various buffalo organs and tissues, including within the reproductive system. Therefore, the intrauterine transmission of Map may occur in buffaloes and could represent an important source of infection.