Detection of
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae from Goats with Nasal Discharge by
Culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction
Hasan Ongor*, Recep Kalin and M. Nuri Acik1
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Firat, 23119 Elazig, TURKEY; 1Vocational
School of Health Services, Bingol
University, 12000, Bingol,
TURKEY *Corresponding author: hongor@firat.edu.tr
Abstract
In this study, the presence of
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and other
mycoplasmas was investigated by culture and PCR in the nasal swab samples of 692
goats with nasal discharges in 44 different flocks in eastern Turkey. The results showed that approximately 41% (18/44) of
the flocks and 11% (75/692) of the goats harbored Mycoplasma agents. Among the
Mycoplasma species; M. ovipneumoniae
was the most prevalent species detected within 29.5% (13/44) of the flocks and
8.1% (56/692) of the goats. Mycoplasma
arginini was also detected solely or in combination with
M. ovipneumoniae in 18.2% (8/44) of
the flocks and 1.9% (13/692) of the goats with nasal discharges. None of the
samples were determined to be positive in the
M. mycoides cluster and
Mycoplasma agalactiae specific PCR analyses.The remaining 12 samples could not be identified at species level.
Because the investigation of other agents which may cause respiratory problems
such as Mannheimia was beyond the
scope of this study, it is not possible to establish strong association between
M. ovipneumoniae and disease. However,
it may be logical to put forward that this agent might be the main cause of
respiratory problems in at least three flocks in which the isolation rates of
50% or higher were obtained.