[Bovine paratuberuclosis: history and resulrs of new efforts to control an old disease].

: The problem of bovine paratuberculosis is being reviewed. The historic development as well as the cultivation and characterization of the infectious agent are described. The current knowledge of the epidemiology is being discussed with particular emphasis on excretion and resistance of the bacterium, potential hosts, and transmission pathways. Subsequently, the economic importance of the disease is described from an international and a German point of view. International, European and German regulations on para tuberculosis are discussed with respect to their possible influence on future development of animal trade politics.