Combinatorial discriminant analysis applied to RNAseq data reveals a set of 10 transcripts as signatures of infection of cattle with Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis (MAP).

RNAseq experimental data of cattle positive to MAP infection are compared to negative uninfected controls, with the purpose to find a small set of differentially expressed genes able to discriminate between infected animals in a preclinical phase. A signature of 10 transcripts that differentiate between potentially infected, but clinically healthy, animals belonging to paratuberculosis positive herds and negative unexposed animals has been identified and crossvalidated. Overall design: Total RNA was extracted from whole blood of 4-5 years old dairy cattles between the 170-190 days in milk belonging to infected and healthy herds. Animals from the infected herd categorized as positive or potentially exposed to the disease.