The word "paratuberculin" is a difficult word to spell because of its long and complex structure. Its phonetic transcription in IPA is /ˌpærətuːbərˈkjuːlɪn/. It is comprised of several root words: "para," which means "near or beside," "tuber," which means "swelling or nodule," and "culin," which is derived from "culture," meaning "to grow artificially." In medical terms, "paratuberculin" is a protein used as a diagnostic tool to detect mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis, which causes Johne's disease in animals.
Paratuberculin is a substance that is derived from the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). It is used in the diagnosis of Johne's disease, also known as paratuberculosis, in animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats.
Johne's disease is a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the digestive system of ruminants, causing severe weight loss, diarrhea, and eventually death. The bacteria MAP is the causative agent of this disease.
Paratuberculin is prepared by growing MAP bacteria in a culture medium and then inactivating it through heat or chemical treatment. This inactivated bacterial suspension is then used in diagnostic tests, such as the intradermal skin test or the serological ELISA test, to detect the presence of antibodies or cellular immune response in animals suspected of being infected with Johne's disease.
The skin test involves injecting a small amount of paratuberculin just under the skin of the animal, usually in the neck region, and observing the reaction after a certain period of time. An abnormal reaction, typically in the form of a localized swelling or thickening of the skin, is indicative of a positive result for Johne's disease.
Overall, paratuberculin plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and control of Johne's disease, helping to identify infected animals and prevent the spread of the disease within livestock populations.
The word "paratuberculin" is derived from two main components: "para-" and "tuberculin".
The prefix "para-" in this context means "similar to" or "resembling". It is commonly used in scientific and medical terminology to indicate a relationship or similarity between different entities.
The second part of the word, "tuberculin", is formed from "tubercule". A "tubercule" is a small rounded projection or swelling, often used to refer to tubercles found in the body. "Tuberculin", on the other hand, specifically refers to a protein derivative extracted from tubercle bacilli (bacteria causing tuberculosis).
Therefore, combining "para-" and "tuberculin", the term "paratuberculin" refers to a substance that resembles or is similar to the protein derivative obtained from tubercle bacilli.