scholarly journals Mycoplasma agalactiae: The Sole Cause of Classical Contagious Agalactia?

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1782
Author(s):  
Sergio Migliore ◽  
Roberto Puleio ◽  
Robin A. J. Nicholas ◽  
Guido R. Loria
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
The Other ◽  
Animal Disease ◽  
Mycoplasma Agalactiae ◽  
Contagious Agalactia ◽  
Mycoplasma Capricolum ◽  
Mycoplasma Mycoides

Contagious agalactia (CA) is suspected when small ruminants show all or several of the following clinical signs: mastitis, arthritis, keratoconjunctivitis and occasionally abortion. It is confirmed following mycoplasma isolation or detection. The historical and major cause is Mycoplasma agalactiae which was first isolated from sheep in 1923. Over the last thirty years, three other mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum and Mycoplasma putrefaciens) have been added to the etiology of CA because they can occasionally cause clinically similar outcomes though nearly always in goats. However, only M. agalactiae is subject to animal disease regulations nationally and internationally. Consequently, it makes little sense to list mycoplasmas other than M. agalactiae as causes of the OIE-listed CA when they are not officially reported by the veterinary authorities and unlikely to be so in the future. Indeed, encouraging countries just to report M. agalactiae may bring about a better understanding of the importance of CA. In conclusion, we recommend that CA should only be diagnosed and confirmed when M. agalactiae is detected either by isolation or molecular methods, and that the other three mycoplasmas be removed from the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines in Terrestrial Animals and associated sources.

scholarly journals Mycoplasma agalactiae, an Etiological Agent of Contagious Agalactia in Small Ruminants: A Review

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Anu Rahal ◽  
Sandip Chakraborty ◽  
Amit Kumar Verma ◽  
Kuldeep Dhama
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Haemagglutination Inhibition ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Mycoplasma Agalactiae ◽  
Contagious Agalactia ◽  
Pcr Multiplex ◽  
Inactivated Vaccines

Mycoplasma agalactiaeis one of the causal agents of classical contagious agalactia (CA), a serious, economically important but neglected enzootic disease of small ruminants. It occurs in many parts of the world and most notably in the Mediterranean Basin. Following the infection common complications are septicaemia, mastitis, arthritis, pleurisy, pneumonia, and keratoconjunctivitis. Primary or tentative diagnosis of the organism is based upon clinical signs. Various serological tests, namely, growth precipitation, immunofluorescence, complement fixation test, haemagglutination inhibition, agglutination, immunodiffusion, enzyme immunoassays, immunoelectrophoresis, blotting techniques, and others, are available. Molecular tools seem to be much more sensitive, specific, and faster and help to differentiate various strains. The real-time PCR, multiplex PCR, quantitative PCR, PCR-RFLP, MLST, and gene probes, complementary to segments of chromosomal DNA or 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), have strengthened the diagnosis ofM. agalactiae. Both live attenuated and adjuvant (alum precipitated or saponified) inactivated vaccines are available with greater use of inactivated ones due to lack of side effects. The present review discusses the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical signs of contagious agalactia in small ruminants along with trends and advances in its diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, prevention, and control strategies that will help in countering this disease.

scholarly journals Mixed infection zones may be important in the epidemiology of contagious agalactia

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-162
Author(s):  
Amirreza Jafarizadeh ◽  
Seyed Ali Pourbakhsh ◽  
Keyvan Tadayon ◽  
Mahmud Jamshidian ◽  
Abbas Ashtari
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Infection ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Contagious Agalactia ◽  
Mycoplasma Capricolum ◽  
Mycoplasma Mycoides ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Introduction: The current study was designed to detect Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma), Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc), Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (Mcc) and Mycoplasma putrefaciens (Mp) in sheep and goats with clinical signs consistent with contagious agalactia. Material and Methods: A total of 299 samples were collected from 55 mixed herds in Azarbaijan-e-Sharghi province, Iran. Samples were examined using PCR and culture methods. Results: The findings showed that in 40 herds at least one sample was positive by PCR or culture method. Moreover, out of 274 sheep samples, 101 were proved to be positive using the PCR technique and 76 were found positive using the culture method. Out of 25 goat samples, 10 were found positive using PCR and 9 were positive through the culture method. Less than 20% of isolated mycoplasmas were Ma. Ma was detected from almost all studied regions in the province while Mmc, Mcc, and Mp were detected only in a very limited area that was deemed by the research group the mixed infection zone. Conclusion: In vaccination or eradication projects, it would be more economical to focus on mixed infection zones. Further investigation on mixed infection zones could facilitate better understanding of contagious agalactia epidemiology.

scholarly journals Mycoplasma agalactiae in Dairy Goat Flocks Bred in State of Ceará in Association with Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Renato Mesquita Peixoto ◽  
Alice Andrioli ◽  
Raymundo Rizaldo Pinheiro ◽  
Francisco Selmo Fernandes Alves ◽  
Vanderlan Warlington Souza Dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
The State ◽  
Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Mycoplasma Agalactiae

Background: Contagious agalactia is an infectious disease caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae (M. agalactiae) that occurs in small ruminants leading to productive and economic losses. Due to the similarity of clinical signs presented in Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), which is a viral disease, a differential diagnosis is important. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of anti-Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies in dairy goat flocks in Ceará State and possible correlation with CAE.Materials, Methods & Results: The research was performed in four mesoregions in Ceará State (Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza-MRF; Northeast Ceará - NeC; North Ceará - NC; Sertões in Ceará - SC), from which 16 productions located in 10 cities with the highest representativeness for goat milk production within the State or mesoregion were sampled. A total of 417 females and 69 males (486 animals) of breeds with dairy production aptitude, pure or crossbreed, maintained in semi-intensive or intensive systems, were tested. Blood serum was obtained by venipuncture of the jugular vein with vacuum pressure syringe followed by centrifugation at 1,500 g for 10min. Antibodies against the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) were detected with micro technique of agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and Western Blot (WB). The anti-Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies were detected with commercial kit of enzymatic immunoassay (IDEXX Laboratories™). Seroprevalence of M. agalactiae in dairy goat flocks in Ceará State was 0.62% (3/486). From the total of 16 visited productions, 18.75% (3/16) had seropositive animals for M. agalactiae located in MRF, NC and SC mesoregions. CAE was diagnosed in 56.25% (9/16) of productions with AGID and in 81.25% (13/16) with WB. In addition, 5.2% (25/486) of animals were seropositive for CAE with AGID and 16.6% (80/486) with WB. Animals that reacted positive for M. agalactiae were all females of pure breed with milk production aptitude in distinct mesoregions submitted to intensive rearing system. None of these animals was positive in neither test (AGID or WB) for CAE. Therefore, no correlation of results obtained in diagnosis of M. agalactiae by ELISA and CAEV by AGID or WB (P < 0.05) was identified. However, two out of three productions that were positive for M. agalactiae presented positive results for CAEV with frequencies of 10% and 20%.Discussion: Seroprevalence of M. agalactiae in Ceará State was low in comparison with other Brazilian states and even other countries. However, the presence of the pathogen in more than one mesoregion indicates that the disease occurs in different locations within the State. Therefore, flocks in Ceará are susceptible to the infection, which may be favored by uncontrolled commerce that occurs with deficient surveillance, associated with the importation of animals to improve flock genetic quality. The presence of the pathogen in dairy goats may contribute to significant losses in the local production. On the other hand, CAE was diagnosedin nearly all productions proving the dissemination of this lentivirus infection among dairy goat flocks in Ceará State. Although an association between these diseases was not identified, the presence of a retrovirus in the organism may favor co-infection with another micro-organism, promoting the deficiency in the immune system of the host. In conclusion, M. agalactiae is present in different mesoregions of the Ceará State and control measures should be adopted in short term to prevent pathogen dissemination and, consequently reduce economic and productive losses in the local dairy goat production. No correlation was identified between the prevalence of infection by CAEV and M. agalactiae in this study.Keywords: correlation, diagnosis, caprine lentivirus, mycoplasmosis.

scholarly journals Mycoplasma Infection in a Commercial Goat Dairy Caused by Mycoplasma Agalactiae and Mycoplasma Mycoides Subsp. Mycoides (Caprine Biotype)

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailu Kinde ◽  
Al J. DaMassa ◽  
Patricia S. Wakenell ◽  
R. Petty
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Clinical Mastitis ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Vascular Integrity ◽  
Mycoplasma Agalactiae ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
Mycoplasma Mycoides ◽  
Hygienic Conditions

A commercial dairy goat herd of 600 animals experienced sudden onset of arthritis/polyarthritis, clinical mastitis, and sudden death in does. The offending infectious agents were Mycoplasma agalactiae and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides (caprine biotype). The disease syndrome began approximately 4 weeks following the 1) introduction into the herd of a lactating doe with no apparent clinical signs and 2) a breakdown of proper hygienic conditions in the milking parlor. Over a period of 3 weeks, 90 does (15%) either died or were culled because of arthritis/polyarthritis and mastitis. A management decision resulted in only the does affected with M. mycoides subsp. mycoides being submitted for necropsy; those affected with M. agalactiae, which were in a different “string,” were not submitted for evaluation. Gross necropsy of the does affected with M. mycoides subsp. mycoides showed purulent discharges from the udders, enlarged supramammary lymph nodes, enlarged and firm spleens, and swollen livers. Microscopic findings were characterized by a loss of vascular integrity and diffuse fluid leakage in multiple organs. Antibiotic therapy with tylosin was attempted but was not successful. The outbreak was terminated following the removal or segregation of affected does and implementation of hygienic conditions in the milking parlor.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides cluster in flocks of northeastern Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Batista dos Santos ◽  
Renata Pimentel Bandeira de Melo ◽  
Luana Thamires Rapôso da Silva ◽  
Júnior Mário Baltazar de Oliveira ◽  
Atzel Candido Acosta Abad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Mycoplasma Agalactiae ◽  
Contagious Agalactia ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Vaginal Swabs ◽  
Mycoplasma Mycoides ◽  
Meat Goat

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to investigate contagious agalactia (CA) in flocks from Pernambuco State. The study involved 225 goats and 63 ewes; 288 milk samples and 100 vaginal swabs were collected in total. The PCR assays were carried out using specific primers to Mycoplasma agalactiae and the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Among the goat’s milk samples,12.0% (27/225) were positive for Mycoplasma agalactiae DNA, while 5.3% (12/225) contained the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Of the vaginal swabs taken from goats, 15.4% (12/78) were positive for Mycoplasma agalactiae DNA and 3.8% (3/78) contained the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. In the case of ewes, 4.3% (1/23) of the milk samples contained Mycoplasma agalactiae DNA, and 7.5% (3/40) were positive for the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Vaginal swabs taken from sheep´s were negative. Analysis of risk factors for mycoplasmosis, showed that goats and sheep flocks on the extensive breeding system are more likely to have mycoplasmosis than those on the intensive breeding system (odds ratio (OR) 6.2; p=0.004); meat goat and sheep flocks are more likely to have infection compared to dairy flocks (OR 4.8; p=0.011); unclean animal housing increases the chances of infection (OR 5.0; p=0.031) and not performing quarantine increases the chances of mycoplasmosis (OR 4.6; p=0.042). Based on these findings we conclude that CA syndrome in the semiarid region of Pernambuco state can be associated with Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides cluster.

scholarly journals A Survey of Mycoplasma Agalactiae in Small Ruminants with Contagious Agalactiae Syndrome in Iran

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Khezri ◽  
SA Pourbakhsh
Keyword(s):  
Synovial Fluid ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Economic Effect ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Mycoplasma Agalactiae ◽  
Contagious Agalactia ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Pcr Method ◽  
Mycoplasma Spp

Contagious agalactia (CA) is one of the major animal health problems in small ruminants. It has economic effect and is caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae, the ‘classic’ etiological agent in sheep and goats. The significance of the different Mycoplasma spp causing CA varies depending on the geographic area. This study conducted between 2012 and 2013 on 189 small ruminants with CA signs in the west of Iran, an area where CA is endemic. All samples (milk, synovial fluid, ear swabs, conjunctival swabs and nasal swabs) were examined by PCR method. Mycoplasma spp was detected in 76.2% and M. agalactiae isolated from 16% of positive samples. M. agalactiae were isolated from 7 conjunctival swabs, 15 milk samples and one synovial fluid sample. Results showed that M. agalactiae was found to be the non-main cause of CA in small ruminants in Iran.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v12i1.20466 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2014). 12 (1): 67-72 

scholarly journals Detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae by Polymerase Chain Reaction in Jordanian Sheep and Goat Herds

2007 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zendulková ◽  
A. Madanat ◽  
P. Lány ◽  
K. Rosenbergová ◽  
Z. Pospíšil
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Mycoplasma Species ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Mycoplasma Agalactiae ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Contagious Agalactia ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
First Time

The aim of the study was to ascertain whether sheep and goats from selected Jordanian herds were infected with Mycoplasma agalactiae, the most common aetiological agent of contagious agalactia of sheep and goats. All examined animals showed clinical signs of disease at the time of sample collection. The group included 35 animals, 15 sheep and 20 goats. For microbiological examination, a total of 107 swabs were taken from conjunctival, nasal, vaginal or preputial mucosae and from the external auditory canal. Identification of the species isolated was carried out by a polymerase chain reaction. Of the 35 animals, 21 (4 sheep and 17 goats) tested positive for Mycoplasma agalactiae. These results confirmed our assumption that this mycoplasma species is present in Jordanian herds and, for the first time, provided evidence that contagious agalactia of sheep and goats occurs in Jordan.

Mycoplasma agalactiae in Dairy Goat Flocks Bred in State of Ceará in Association with Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Mesquita Peixoto ◽  
Alice Andrioli ◽  
Raymundo Rizaldo Pinheiro ◽  
Francisco Selmo Fernandes Alves ◽  
Vanderlan Warlington Souza Dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
The State ◽  
Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Mycoplasma Agalactiae

Background: Contagious agalactia is an infectious disease caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae (M. agalactiae) that occurs in small ruminants leading to productive and economic losses. Due to the similarity of clinical signs presented in Caprine Arthritis Encepha­litis (CAE), which is a viral disease, a differential diagnosis is important. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of anti-Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies in dairy goat flocks in Ceará State and possible correlation with CAE.Materials, Methods & Results: The research was performed in four mesoregions in Ceará State (Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza- MRF; Northeast Ceará - NeC; North Ceará - NC; Sertões in Ceará - SC), from which 16 productions located in 10 cities with the highest representativeness for goat milk production within the State or mesoregion were sampled. A total of 417 females and 69 males (486 animals) of breeds with dairy production aptitude, pure or crossbreed, maintained in semi-intensive or intensive systems, were tested. Blood serum was obtained by venipuncture of the jugular vein with vacuum pressure syringe followed by centrifugation at 1,500 g for 10min. Antibodies against the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) were detected with micro technique of agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and Western Blot (WB). The anti-Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies were detected with commercial kit of enzymatic immunoassay (IDEXX Laboratories™). Seroprevalence of M. agalactiae in dairy goat flocks in Ceará State was 0.62% (3/486). From the total of 16 visited productions, 18.75% (3/16) had seropositive animals for M. agalactiae located in MRF, NC and SC mesoregions. CAE was diagnosed in 56.25% (9/16) of productions with AGID and in 81.25% (13/16) with WB. In addition, 5.2% (25/486) of animals were seropositive for CAE with AGID and 16.6% (80/486) with WB. Animals that reacted positive for M. agalactiae were all females of pure breed with milk production aptitude in distinct mesoregions submitted to intensive rearing system. None of these animals was positive in neither test (AGID or WB) for CAE. Therefore, no correlation of results obtained in diagnosis of M. agalactiae by ELISA and CAEV by AGID or WB (P < 0.05) was identified. However, two out of three productions that were positive for M. agalactiae presented positive results for CAEV with frequencies of 10% and 20%.Discussion: Seroprevalence of M. agalactiae in Ceará State was low in comparison with other Brazilian states and even other countries. However, the presence of the pathogen in more than one mesoregion indicates that the disease occurs in different loca­tions within the State. Therefore, flocks in Ceará are susceptible to the infection, which may be favored by uncontrolled commerce that occurs with deficient surveillance, associated with the importation of animals to improve flock genetic quality. The presence of the pathogen in dairy goats may contribute to significant losses in the local production. On the other hand, CAE was diagnosed in nearly all productions proving the dissemination of this lentivirus infection among dairy goat flocks in Ceará State. Although an association between these diseases was not identified, the presence of a retrovirus in the organism may favor co-infection with another micro-organism, promoting the deficiency in the immune system of the host. In conclusion, M. agalactiae is present in different mesoregions of the Ceará State and control measures should be adopted in short term to prevent pathogen dissemination and, consequently reduce economic and productive losses in the local dairy goat production. No correlation was identified between the prevalence of infection by CAEV and M. agalactiae in this study.Keywords: correlation, diagnosis, caprine lentivirus, mycoplasmosis.

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