Researchers Discover Ingredient to Fight Johne’s Disease
A new protein, 35 kDa membrane peptide, may be used as an ingredient in vaccinating cattle against Johne’s disease. The protein is on the surface of the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), which causes Johne’s disease.

USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists discovered that the protein helps the bacterium invade epithelial cells lining the cow’s small intestine, thickening it and blocking the uptake of nutrients from feed or forage.

The research could open the door to a new way of preventing Johne’s disease without interference with bovine tuberculosis tests. Read more about the study.