Johne’s disease
Also known as Paratuberculosis
- Johne's disease is a notifiable disease
- HTJ Frequently Asked Questions
Description
Johne’s disease is a chronic and contagious disease, resulting in granulomatous enteritis. The disease is noted in all ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats and deer) and camelids (alpaca, llamas) and is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (Mptb). Clinical signs include persistent diarrhoea, progressive weight loss and emaciation.
Diagnosis and tests available
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is suggested by history, gross pathology and serological and/or molecular testing, and is confirmed by histopathology with special stain (Zeihl-Neelson) and isolation of Mptb from faeces or tissues by culture.
Assurance Programs
Industry led assurance programs exist for beef (Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS)) and dairy (National Dairy BJD Assurance Score (Dairy Score)) herds. More information can be found on the Animal Health Australia website. Specific information regarding cattle sampling protocols for herd tests (e.g. Sample Test and Check Test) and livestock movements can be found on the AHA website.
For information on Market Assurance Programs (MAP) for sheep, goats and alpacas, please visit the Animal Health Australia website.
The laboratory can provide testing to support maintenance of assurance scores, but please note that sampling and test selection is the responsibility of the submitter.
When choosing the appropriate test, pay particular attention to turnaround times, confirmatory follow up testing requirements (e.g. test positive animals or pools) and requirements for a quotation prior to test commencement. Refer to ‘Specimen Requirements’ below to ensure you submit the correct sample type and quantity.
If you have questions about selection of the appropriate test(s) for assurance programs, consult your veterinarian.
Tests available
Test | Species | Sample(s) Required | Testing days | Test Turnaround Time1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johne’s disease Complement Fixation test (CFT)*** | Cattle | Whole blood (red top tube) or serum | Contact Customer Service*** | POA |
Johne’s disease antibody ELISA | Cattle, sheep, goats and alpaca4 | Whole blood (red top tube) or serum | Monday to Friday | Up to 5 working days |
Johne's disease (Ovine) AGID | Sheep | Whole blood (red top tube) or serum | Monday to Thursday | Up to 5 working days |
Johne's disease individual faecal & tissue liquid culture & PCR4 | Cattle, Sheep and Goats4 | Faeces or fresh tissue | Sample processing begins on Monday for faeces or Tuesday for tissues | 14 to 16 weeks5 |
Johne's disease pooled faecal liquid culture & PCR4 | Cattle, sheep, goats and alpaca4 | Faeces | Sample processing begins on Monday | 14 to 16 weeks5 |
Johne's disease (Bovine) herd environment liquid culture4 | Cattle | Faeces | Sample processing begins on Monday | 14 to 16 weeks5 |
Johne's disease High throughput PCR (HTJ)2 4 -see below for price tiers | Cattle and sheep | Faeces | As required | Up to 6 weeks3 |
| Johne's Disease Strain Typing PCR* | Cattle | From culture | As required | 10W |
| Johne's Disease Subculture* | Cattle, Sheep and Goat | From culture | As required | 10W |
Histopathology | Not restricted to certain species | Fixed tissue | Monday - Friday | Up to 5 working days |
| HTJ PCR Tiers | Test Turnaround Time (TAT) | Price (ex GST) | Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johne's High throughput (HTJ) PCR (1-4 & 61+ samples)4 | Up to 6 weeks3 | Quote Required | Cattle and Sheep ONLY |
| Johne's High throughput (HTJ) PCR (5-60 samples)4 | Up to 6 weeks3 | Refer to Pricing in J | |
| Johne's High throughput (HTJ) pooling fee (per pool)4 | Up to 6 weeks3 | Refer to Pricing in J |
1 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Services. Export shipments are by negotiation, dependent on shipment dates.
2 A quotation from the Customer Services is required for HTJ PCR testing where there is less than <10 or >92 samples, please submit a Quotation request form. For further information about HTJ PCR testing refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.
3 An express surcharge may apply for urgent testing.
4 This test is not NATA accredited.
5 JD Culture requires several consecutive processes; therefore, new cultures are not set up over the Christmas/ New Year period. Samples received during this time will be held at -80°C for processing in the New Year and will have an extended turnaround time.
*** Please Note the Johnes CFT is not routinely offered. Please contact Customer Service to discuss your testing requirements.
Additional Information
Specimen requirements
| Blood (without anti-coagulant) |
|---|
|
| Faeces |
Individual testing
Pooled testing
Herd environment culture (HEC)
General requirements
Further information
NoteFaeces at slaughter can be useful to assess the risk of shedding. |
| Fixed tissue |
|
| Fresh Tissue |
|
Customer Service
Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.
NSW DPIRD's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.
CONTACT DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1800 675 623 |
| Operating Hours | 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only) |
| Postal Address | Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567 |
Quotations
For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request
For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPIRD AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957
For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPIRD AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103
Submission Forms
Veterinary Specimen Advice Form
Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au) for more information.
Courier services and specimen delivery
For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.
For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.
Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the APHL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.
Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).
Sample Type | Laboratory | Street Address |
|---|---|---|
Animal (including aquatic animals) | NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL) | EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568 |
