International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 4(4): 244-251, 2012 ISSN: 2041-2894 © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2012 Submitted: April 27, 2012 Accepted: June 01, 2012 Published: August 20, 2012 Corresponding Author: J. Erume, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda 244 The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Para tuberculosis in Indigenous and Exotic Cattle in Wakiso and Masaka Districts, Uganda J. Erume and F. Mutebi College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of bovine par atuberculosis occurrence in indigenous and exotic cattle breeds in Wakiso and Masaka districts, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was carried in these districts with a well-established small-holder commercial dairy system supplying livestock products to major urban centers. Questionnaires were administered to farmers prior to blood sampling. Results revealed farmers operated open herds and were acquiring replacement stock from fellow farmers, cattle traders or donations. Most cattle in Wakiso were zero-grazed with a few grazed on pastures; communally, in paddocks or tethered. In contrast most cattle in Masaka were fed on pastures as opposed to zero grazing. Of 436 adult cattle sero-tested in Wakiso, par atuberculosis was highest in indigenous cattle (15%), was 8.3% in cross-breeds and 5.8% in exotic breeds. Individual cow prevalence in Wakiso was 7.8% whilst herd prevalence was 36.23%. Screening of 384 adult cattle in Masaka revealed prevalence of par atuberculosis of 3.26, 4.48 and 4.9% in the indigenous breeds, exotic dairy and cross breeds, respectively, with individual cow prevalence of 3.91% and herd prevalence of 24.44%. The prevalence of par atuberculosis was significantly higher in Wakiso compared to Masaka (p<0.05, χ 2 = 5.5043). The factors associated with increased risk of herd infection included; “where adult cattle were housed”, “adult cattle fed on pasture”, “calves allowed to suckle their mothers” and “calves not separated from their mothers”. This study confirms the presense of par atuberculosis in Ugandan cattle and shows that farmers are unaware of its occurrence or prevention. Keywords: Cattle, masaka, Para tuberculosis, risk factors, sero-prevalence, wakiso INTRODUCTION Par atuberculosis is a very important production- limiting disease associated with enormous economic losses accruing from emaciation and death of affected cattle (Van Leeuwen et al., 2001). The clinical losses arise due to reduced milk production, elevated calving interval, reduced slaughter weights, shorter longevity, lost potential breeding value, infertility, increased incidence of mastititis and other diseases (Johnson- Ifearulundu and Kaneene, 1998; Chiodini et al., 1984). Mycobacterium Avium sub species Par atuberculosis (MAP), the causal agent of Para tuberculosis, causes a thickening in the intestinal lining, reducing the efficacy of feed absorption in the sick animals with concomitant diarrhea, cachexia, loss of production and invariably retardation of the livestock industry. The disease is not only important because of its economic impact in the livestock industry but it is also one of the key suspect causal agents of Crohn’s disease in man Stevenson et al. (20090) and Botsaris et al. (2010). Bovine par atuberculosis is a global challenge to the veterinary profession. There is currently no therapy available and the disease leads to the death of the affected cattle (Chiodini et al., 1984). Par atuberculosis is prevalent in most of the developed countries. The prevalence of the disease in Canada dairy cattle is about 2.6% Van Leeuwen et al. (2001), however, this figure rises to 16.1% among culled cattle (Mckenna et al., 2004). In the USA the prevalence ranges from 1.6 to 20% in the cattle population with dairy cattle having the highest prevalence (Johnson-Ifearulundu and Kaneene, 1998; Hill et al., 2003; Pence et al., 2003). This disease is reported in many other countries including England (Woodbine et al., 2009), Netherlands (Muskens et al., 2003) and Belgium (Boelaert et al., 2000; Jakobsena et al., 2000). Many management practices have been noted as potential risk factors for the introduction and spread of MAP infection in dairy herds including: addition of cattle raised off the farm; pasture and manure management; calf hygiene and housing; feeding of waste milk to calves, use of an exercise lot for lactating cows, large herd size as opposed to small herd Sherman (1985), Thoen and Baum (1988), Goodger et al. (1996), Johnson-Ifearulundu and Kaneene (1998) and Jakobsena et al. (2000). Based o the understanding of the epidemiology and disease risk factors, several