Griss Silja, Schüpbach-Regula Gertraud, Carmo Luís P, Meylan Mireille, Ottardi Martina, Thomann Beat
Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
J Dairy Sci. 2025 Jul;108(7):7481-7492. doi: 10.3168/jds.2024-25832. Epub 2025 May 12.
Paratuberculosis (PTB), also known as Johne's disease, is a widespread endemic disease affecting various ruminants and other animals globally. The disease, caused by infection with Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP), leads to considerable economic losses in the dairy industry worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the economic impact of PTB in the Swiss dairy cattle population. A case-control study was first conducted to compare the production parameters milk yield, SCC, subclinical mastitis (SCM) prevalence, calving interval, service period, and 56-d nonreturn rate between MAP-positive (n = 31) and MAP-negative (n = 31) herds. The comparison was carried out using regression analysis based on data from breeding associations. Subsequently, gross margins, production losses, and expenses caused by PTB were estimated based on empirical and literature data using stochastic simulation models. The regression analyses showed minor differences between MAP-positive and MAP-negative herds, and none of these were significant. Case herds produced 0.07 kg/d per cow less milk than MAP-negative herds and had on average higher SCC. No significant differences were found in SCM prevalence or in fertility parameters. Despite the lack of statistically significant differences in health and production parameters between positive and control herds, potential economic costs of PTB were assessed. The statistical power of the study was limited, but even small decreases in production can eventually lead to substantial financial losses. The annual financial losses per cow in a MAP-positive herd were estimated to be approximately 36 Swiss francs (CHF). On national level, the annual losses due to MAP infection were estimated at CHF 682,767 for the Swiss dairy producers. The model outcomes demonstrate that even minor effects of PTB lead to substantial economic losses for Swiss dairy producers. This study provides important insights for the evaluation of potential management measures, such as regional or national control programs.
副结核病（PTB），也称为约内氏病，是一种广泛流行的地方性疾病，在全球范围内影响各种反刍动物和其他动物。该疾病由鸟分枝杆菌副结核亚种（MAP）感染引起，给全球乳制品行业造成了相当大的经济损失。本研究的目的是评估PTB对瑞士奶牛种群的经济影响。首先进行了一项病例对照研究，以比较MAP阳性（n = 31）和MAP阴性（n = 31）牛群之间的生产参数，即产奶量、体细胞计数（SCC）、亚临床乳腺炎（SCM）患病率、产犊间隔、配种期和56天不返情率。使用基于育种协会数据的回归分析进行比较。随后，基于经验数据和文献数据，使用随机模拟模型估算了PTB造成的毛利润、生产损失和费用。回归分析表明，MAP阳性和MAP阴性牛群之间存在细微差异，但均无统计学意义。病例牛群每头奶牛每天的产奶量比MAP阴性牛群少0.07千克，且平均体细胞计数较高。在SCM患病率或繁殖参数方面未发现显著差异。尽管阳性牛群和对照牛群在健康和生产参数上缺乏统计学上的显著差异，但仍评估了PTB的潜在经济成本。该研究的统计效力有限，但即使是产量的小幅下降最终也可能导致巨大的经济损失。MAP阳性牛群中每头奶牛的年度经济损失估计约为36瑞士法郎（CHF）。在国家层面，瑞士乳制品生产商因MAP感染造成的年度损失估计为682,767瑞士法郎。模型结果表明，即使PTB的影响很小，也会给瑞士乳制品生产商带来巨大的经济损失。本研究为评估潜在的管理措施（如区域或国家控制计划）提供了重要见解。
