UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The possible relationship between a serious cattle disease and a similar human illness suggests the need for more focused research to establish any links, according to a new report from the National Research Council.

The report, "Diagnosis and Control of Johne's Disease," was prepared by a panel of eight experts from across the United States. Lawrence Hutchinson, extension veterinarian and professor of veterinary science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, was one of the co-authors.

Johne's disease (pronounced YO-knees) is a bacterial intestinal disease of cattle and other ruminants (sheep, deer, goats) that can cause weight loss, diarrhea and decreased milk production. "Once cattle contract the disease, it's incurable," says Hutchinson. "It's estimated that between 20 and 40 percent of dairy herds in Pennsylvania have cattle with Johne's disease."

Studies have estimated that dairy producers with a 100-cow herd in which at least 10 percent of cull cows show symptoms of Johne's could sustain costs of about $23,000 per year, mostly due to reduced milk production. This translates into an estimated $200 million annual loss for dairy producers nationally.

The costs of Johne's disease would expand into the public health arena if researchers were to establish a link between Johne's and Crohn's disease, a chronic intestinal inflammatory illness that affects humans. Symptoms of Crohn's disease include malaise, weight loss, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Crohn's is a life-long disease, the cause of which is unknown and for which there is no cure.

At issue is whether the pathogen that causes Johne's disease, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, or Map, is also a cause of Crohn's disease in humans. Studies designed to confirm or refute a link to date have been small and have yielded inconclusive or inconsistent results. The report calls for a new approach to studying the possible relationship between Map and Crohn's disease and for the convening of an independent panel to establish standardized protocols and laboratory methods for research on the question.

The report also spells out steps for controlling Johne's disease, reducing the spread of Map and minimizing effects of the disease in animals. "An integrated, bottom-up approach to on-farm disease control is needed that meets the needs of the livestock producer and motivates behavioral change, with support at broader industry, state and federal levels," the report states.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, currently sponsors one of the nation's longest-running voluntary Johne's disease monitoring and control programs for livestock producers and veterinarians.

To obtain a copy of "Diagnosis and Control of Johne's Disease," call the National Academies Press toll-free at (888) 624-8373, or visit the Web at http://www.nap.edu. EDITORS: Larry Hutchinson can be reached at 814-863-5938.

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Contact:

Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu Chuck Gill cdg5@psu.edu 814-863-2713 814-863-9877 fax #168