Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in powdered infant formula

摘要

Fifty one powdered infant formula products produced by 10 companies from seven countries available on the Czech market were tested. Milk used for these products is pasteurized prior to drying. IS900, the specific fragments for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) were detected using PCR in 25 samples (49.0 %) and fragment f57 by real time PCR in 18 samples (35.3 %). One sample was positive by culture, but the finding was not successfully repeated. These results correspond to the epidemiological situation in Europe and are not unexpected. Paratuberculosis in cattle was almost unknown in the Czech Republic until 1990. An increase in the number of cows with paratuberculosis found in slaughterhouses and the incidence of Crohn's disease in the last decade is evident. The possible risk of killed MAP cells or bacterial structures in food is discussed in respect to an autoimmune cause Crohn's disease. The national programmes of paratuberculosis control and certification of paratuberculosis-free herds should be strongly supported to decrease the risk for children and other people under higher risk. Producers should use MAP-free milk for baby food production on a voluntary basis.