Paratuberculosis in Аnimals and Humans – an Actual Health and Economic Problem

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis is the etiological agent of paratuberculosis in animals (Johne's disease) and in humans (Crohn's disease). The review summarized the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of the disease in domestic and wild animals, and humans as well as future challenges to diagnostics, control prebiotics promoting the growth of probiotic compounds public health concern. Special attention is paid to the enormous economic losses worldwide of affected farms associated with decreased production of milk, meat and their products, increased incidence of mastitis and infertility in animals, and higher costs of in-patient care, ambulatory care and drugs for humans. The necessity to develop a National program for rapid diagnosis, monitoring and control of paratuberculosis in Bulgaria, similar to such programs in other affected countries, is explained. In addition, this program will enable the conducting epidemiological analyses and assessment of the risk to animal and human health.