Infectious diseases continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in domestic animals and are of significant concern to human health due to the potential for the transfer of diseases from livestock to humans. Johne’s disease or paratuberculosis is a chronic enteric disease of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and is responsible for considerable financial losses in the dairy industry worldwide.
A genomic-based approach was used to sequentially develop vaccine candidates. This project was fundamental in carrying out the initial stages of vaccine development by successfully cloning a significant number of genes associated with potential immunogenic properties. The completion of the antigen screening will be carried out by the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) and may lead to future vaccine development by interested pharmaceutical companies (Novartis and Pfizer).