Analysis of the results of serology studies for paratuberculosis among cattle in Ukraine over the five years

Paratuberculosis, also known as paratuberculosis enteritis, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the acid-resistant bacterium Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), belonging to the Mycobacteriaceae family. The causative agent affects a wide range of animals, but the most sensitive to it are domestic ruminants (cattle, cattle, etc.), which are recognized as the main reservoirs of infection for various types of animals, as well as humans. However, the zoonotic potential of this pathogen is speculative and requires the further study. In Ukraine, according to the current regulatory documentation, the main methods of paratuberculosis diagnosing are serological and bacteriological techniques. The authors analyzed the results of serological research on paratuberculosis among cattle in Ukraine during 2019–2023 by systematizing the data of their own research and official reports of the regional state laboratories of veterinary medicine. The research results are presented in the article without taking into account the temporarily occupied territories, as well as the part of the territory where military operations are being conducted. In total, over a period of five years, 41679 samples were serologically tested in the complement fixation test (CFT). During the work, specific antibodies to the pathogen were detected in 36 samples (prevalence about 0.1%; BCI, 0.06–0.12%) from ten regions. The analysis of the received serological studies shows that this disease has a sporadic character and a significant tendency to decrease the number of positive cases. Thus, in 2019 and 2020, 17 positive samples were detected, and in 2023 – only two. Visualization of the obtained data indicates that antibodies were detected mainly in samples among animals from the eastern, northern, central and northwestern regions of the country.