Mycobacterium paratuberculosis
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Mycobacterium paratuberculosis
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is an obligate pathogenic bacterium in the genus Mycobacteria. It is often abbreviated M. paratuberculosis, M. avium sub. paratuberculosis or MAP.
| Kingdom | Bacteria |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Actinobacteria |
| Order | Actinomycetales |
| Family | Mycobacteriaceae |
| Genus | Mycobacterium |
| Species | M. avium |
| Subspecies | 'M. a. paratuberculosis |
[edit] Pathogenic Activity
MAP causes Johne's disease in cattle and other ruminants, and it has long been suspected as a causative agent in Crohn's disease in humans; this connection is controversial.
Recent studies have shown that MAP present in milk can survive pasteurization, which has raised human health concerns due to the widespread nature of MAP in modern dairy herds. MAP survival during pasteurization is dependent on the D72C-value of the strains present and their concentration in milk. It is heat resistant and is capable of sequestering itself inside white blood cells, which may contribute to its persistence in milk. It has also been reported to survive chlorination in municipal water supplies.
[edit] Virulence
MAP has been found in larger numbers within the intestines of Crohn's disease patients than those with ulcerative colitis and healthy controls.
