Wildlife as a Potential Reservoir of Paratuberculosis: Molecular Evidence of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis in a Biosphere Reserve, the Sudan

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) causes paratuberculosis (PTB), a chronic wasting enteritis of domestic and wild ruminants. Although the disease and/or its aetiology have been reported in livestock in the Sudan, they have not been investigated in wild animals. This study investigated MAP DNA prevalence in the Dinder National Park (DNP) to provide baseline data on PTB in wildlife. Fresh faecal samples (n = 274) of wild ruminants were collected from the ground around the six major water ponds of the DNP (44–48 samples/pond). Faecal DNA was extracted using a rapid extraction protocol and tested for MAP DNA using a real-time recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay. The vegetation structure around the ponds was observed and described. MAP DNA detection rates around the ponds ranged between 64.4% and 22.9%, with an overall apparent prevalence of 37.9% and a sensitivity/specificity-adjusted sample positivity of 42.4%. The faecal samples belonged to Reedbuck (Redunca redunca), Warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus), Waterbuck (Kobus defasa), African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Oribi (Ourebia ourebia), and among which MAP DNA detection rates were 39.4% (28/71), 39.1% (18/46), 38.0% (27/71), 37.5% (12/32) and 35.2% (19/54), respectively. The vegetation pattern around the ponds showed a notable difference that was consistent with MAP DNA detection. These results are consistent with the potential role of wildlife in paratuberculosis maintenance and transmission. Future investigations, including genotyping, would identify possible cross-transmission of the pathogen at the wildlife-domestic animal interface.