RADIOMETRIC CULTURE OF MYCOBACTERIUM-AVIUM PARATUBERCULOSIS FROM THE FECES OF TULE ELK

To determine if Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis has persisted in tule elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes) at Point Reyes National Seashore (C alifornia, USA), 100 fresh fecal samples were collected. Feces were cu ltured on a modified BACTEC 12B radiometric medium for detection of M. avium paratuberculosis. Four samples, coming from two separate groups of elk tested positive for M. avium paratuberculosis. Thus, a noninva sive technique was used to document the continued presence of M. avium paratuberculosis in elk at Point Reyes National Seashore. These findi ngs document persistence of this organism for a period of at least 13 yr in a free ranging herd of elk, with a 6 yr absence of observed clin ical signs.