Identification of Mycoplasma agalactiae by conventional and molecular methods on small ruminants in central zone of Iran

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the presence and prevalence of the Mycoplasma agalactiae in sheep and goats flocks in central Iran. Five counties in the Isfahan Province, namely Borkhar-va-Meimeh, Lenjan, Mobareke, Naein, and Shahreza, were investigated. The villages and flocks were selected by stratified random sampling method. Samples were randomly collected from healthy sheep and goats. A total of 353 samples which included milk (n = 281) and conjunctiva (n = 72) from both sheep and goats were collected. Then, M. agalactiae was identified by conventional and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Chi-square (χ 2) test was used to reveal the association between the prevalence of M. agalactiae and seasons, locations, species, sex, age groups, types of sample, clinical sign, and vaccination. Results obtained showed that 14 (4 %) out of 353 samples were positive in pleuropneumonia-like organisms (PPLO) agar. Ten out of 14 isolates (2.8 %) were confirmed by PCR method. M. agalactiae prevalence was relatively higher (χ 2 = 3.21, df = 1, p = 0.07) in sheep compared to those in goats. Statistically, no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05) between the prevalence of M. agalactiae and seasons, locations, sex, age groups, types of sample, clinical sign, and vaccination. Therefore, M. agalactiae was detected with a low frequency of presence and distribution. Since M. agalactiae infection spreads quickly, it is recommended that the controlling must be performed and rapid detection is needed.