First mass screening of the human population to estimate the bio-load of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in North India

Bio-load of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) was estimated in the first mass screening of human population in Mathura region of South Uttar Pradesh. 48,919 samples were collected between December, 2010 and March, 2013 from Pathology laboratories, 26,390 were screened by indigenous ELISA kit, IS900 blood and stool PCR, IS1311 PCR_RE and stool microscopy. From 23,196 serum samples screened by indigenous ELISA, 34.0% were positive for MAP infection (Mathura -35.4% and Agra 14.2%). Percent prevalence of MAP infection was 28.3, 41.8, 37.4, 29.5, 41.1, 40.7, 42.5, 36.5 and 51.2 in patients suspected for diabetes, liver disorders, anaemia, thyroid, tuberculosis, typhoid, abdominal disorders, inflammatory illness and ion imbalance, respectively. 3093 blood samples screened by IS900 PCR, 8.4% were positive (Mathura - 9.2% and Agra -7.9%). Percent prevalence of MAP was 4.8, 7.0, 20.0, 4.9, 17.8, 7.6 and 12.7 in patients suspected for diabetic, liver disorder, skin disorders, anaemia, Malaria, typhoid and apparently normal individuals, respectively. 101 stool samples screened by microscopy, 5.9% were positive and of these 2.9% were confirmed by IS900 PCR. IS1311 PCR_RE bio-typing showed ‘Indian Bison Type’ was the most prevalent biotype. The study indicated large scale exposure of human population to MAP in the Mathura region of South Uttar Pradesh and ‘Indian Bison Type’ biotype was most prevalent. Key words: Blood PCR, bio-load, Crohn’s disease, Indian bison type, indigenous ELISA, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis.