Molecular test for detection of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae associated with respiratory tract infection from goats in north and central parts of Kerala

Mycoplasmal pneumonia is an important contagious disease that significantly affects the economy of small ruminant farming worldwide and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovipneumoniae) is one of the major aetiological agents associated with pleuropneumonia in goats. It is considered as a serious epidemic disease of goats due to its huge economic impact and hence, rapid and early diagnosis of the disease is warranted. Clinical mycoplasmosis often lacks pathognomonic signs, so definitive diagnosis of the disease is quite burdensome. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test has been proven to be a specific and sensitive technique for the early diagnosis of mycoplasmosis. The present study highlights the detection of M. ovipneumoniae employing PCR test in 150 nasal swab samples collected from goats with symptoms of respiratory tract infection from five districts of Kerala. Results revealed that, out of 150 samples, 83 (55.33 per cent) were positive in 16S rRNA Mycoplasma genus specific PCR test. Among the 83 genus positive samples, 68 samples (45.33 per cent of total 150 samples) were positive in M. ovipneumoniae specific PCR test.