U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research: Ames, IA
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Midwest Area Ames, Iowa National Animal Disease Center Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Palmer, Mitchellitem
                                            Whipple, Diana
  Submitted to: Journal of Wildlife Diseases
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 7/2/2006
                                    Publication  Date: 10/1/2006
                                    Citation: Palmer, M.V., Whipple, D.L. 2006. Survival of Mycobacterium bovis on Feedstuffs Commonly Used as Supplemental Feed for White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 42(4):853-858.Interpretive Summary: Recently, tuberculosis has become established in free-ranging white-tailed deer in northeastern Michigan. Although, it is generally accepted that deer were originally infected tuberculosis through contact with cattle, deer to deer and deer to cattle transmission have been confirmed. The widespread practice of supplemental feeding of white-tailed deer during the winter is believed to contribute to disease transmission between deer. The current study was conducted to determine the ability of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis to survive on various feedstuffs commonly used as supplemental feeds for deer in northeast Michigan (i.e. apples, corn, carrots, sugar beets, potatoes and hay) and the effect of temperature on survival. The bacteria survived on all feedstuffs at all temperatures tested for at least 7 days. At -20 degrees C (freezer temperature) the bacteria could be recovered from all feedstuffs at the termination of the study at 120 days. Additionally, the bacteria could be recovered from samples of apples, corn, hay and potatoes at 4 degrees C (refrigeration temperature) at 120 days. At 20 degrees C (room temperature) recovery was still possible from samples of apples at 120 days. This study suggests that bacterial contamination of feedstuffs by infected deer could act as a source of indirect transmission of tuberculosis to other deer or cattle as the bacteria are able to survive in temperatures similar to those recorded during the winter months in northeastern Michigan. Current efforts to ban or control supplemental feeding of deer should have a positive effect on decreasing tuberculosis transmission between deer.
                                Technical Abstract: Recently, Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, has become established in free-ranging white-tailed deer in northeastern Michigan. Although, it is generally accepted that deer were originally infected with M. bovis through contact with cattle, deer to deer and deer to cattle transmission have been confirmed. The widespread practice of supplemental feeding of white-tailed deer during the winter is believed to contribute to transmission of M. bovis between deer. The current study was conducted to determine the ability of M. bovis to survive on various feedstuffs commonly used as supplemental feeds for deer in northeast Michigan (i.e. apples, corn, carrots, sugar beets, potatoes and hay) and the effect of temperature on survival. Mycobacterium bovis survived on all feedstuffs at all temperatures tested for at least 7 days. At -20 degrees C M. bovis could be recovered from all feedstuffs at the termination of the study at 120 days. Additionally, M. bovis could be recovered from samples of apples, corn, hay and potatoes at 4 degrees C at 120 days. At 20 degrees C M. bovis could still be isolated from samples of apples at 120 days. This study suggests that contamination of feedstuffs by M. bovis infected deer could act as a source of indirect transmission to other deer or cattle as M. bovis is able to survive in temperatures similar to those recorded during the winter months in northeastern Michigan. Current efforts to ban or control supplemental feeding of deer should have a positive effect on decreasing transmission of M. bovis between deer.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov