Mycoplasma ovis (formerly Eperythrozoon ovis ) is an epierythrocytic parasitic bacterium of small ruminants known as haemotropic mycoplasma, which is transmitted mechanically by biting flies and contaminated instruments. Acute mycoplasmosis causes severe haemolytic anaemia and mortality in young animals. At the same time, chronic disease may produce mild anaemia and varying degrees of morbidity depending on several factors, including age, reproductive status, the plane of nutrition, immunological status and the presence of concurrent infection. Haemotropic Mycoplasma ovis is currently recognised as an emerging zoonotic pathogen which is widely distributed in the sheep and goat producing areas of tropics and subtropics, where the disease is nearly endemic. Human infection has been reported in pregnant women, immunocompromised patients and people exposed to animals and arthropods. The current diagnosis of haemoplasma relies on microscopic evaluation of Giemsa-stained blood smear and PCR. Although there are few published reports on the incidence of haemotropic Mycoplasma ovis infection of small ruminants in Malaysia, information on its prevalence, risk factors, severity and economic impacts is grossly inadequate. Therefore, a large-scale survey of small ruminant flocks is necessary to elucidate the current seroprevalence status and molecular characteristics of haemotropic M. ovis infection in Malaysia using ELISA and PCR sequencing technologies. In the future, surveillance programs, including vector forecast, quarantine, monitoring by periodic surveys and public enlightenment, will limit the internal and transboundary spread of M. ovis , enhance control efforts and mitigate production losses in Malaysia. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11250-020-02357-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) is a member of the genus lentivirus causing caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE), a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the lungs, joints, udder and central nervous system of small ruminants such as sheep and goats. CAE is distributed worldwide and is recognised as a significant cause of morbidity and decreased milk production in dairy goats. Earlier studies highlighted the clinicopathological features and supplied preliminary serological evidence for the existence of CAE among selected goat herds in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims to provide further insights into the seroprevalence and contributing factors of CAE among sheep and goat herds in two states of Peninsular Malaysia. The blood samples and biodata were randomly collected from a total of 262 individual sheep (40) and goat (222) in seven smallholder farms. Blood sera were tested for specific anti-CAEV antibodies using Qayee-Bio CAEV sandwich-ELISA test kits according to standard procedures. Our results of the study revealed 21.4% (95% CI: 15.8–28.6) apparent and 20.6% (95% CI: 14.5–27.8) true seroprevalence with significant differences (p < 0.05) in seroconversion rates between the states, farms, production systems and breeds of small ruminants. The prevalence of CAE in the Malaysian Peninsular is a potential threat to the small ruminant industry and developing agricultural economy. Further studies are required to determine the genetic characteristics, distribution and risk factors of CAEV for effective prevention and control in Malaysia.

B rucellosis is one of the most important economic and welfare bacterial diseases in goats and sheep and is under a national eradication program globally (Coelho et al., 2007). The disease has also called Malta fever, goat fever, undulant fever and cow, goat, pig and man fever (Bamaiyi et al., 2010). Brucella are facultative intracellular gram-negative cocco-bacilli, non-capsulated and nonspore-forming (Seleem et al., 2010). The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, camels, equines, and dogs. It may also infect other ruminants and marine mammals (Lopes and Haddad, 2010). The incubation period is extremely variable typically 2-4 weeks and can be 1 week to 2 months or longer (Corbel, 2006). Clinical signs are abortion, prenatal mortality, still birth and reduction in milk yield (Agab, 1997). Pathogenicity of five Brucella species that affects humans has been confirmed are B. melitensis, B. abortus, B. suis, B. canis and B. marina. The disease in humans is affected mainly by B. melitensis as the most pathogenic species followed by B. Suis. For B. abortus it is considered as the mildest type of brucellosis review Article Abstract | Livestock industries are important for economic development in developing countries where small ruminant production is an important and viable sub part of animal industries in Asia. Small ruminant production systems are complex where livestock industries show a vital role in economic development and play a major role in the life of farmers in developing countries. Small ruminant industry has been facing devastating economic losses from major outbreaks of transboundary animal diseases and zoonosis potential such as Brucella, Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA), Contagious Ecythma (orf), Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), Coxaella burnetti (Q fever), Schmallenberg infection (SBV) and Bluetongue. These diseases have become an international nuisance as all regions around the world and particularly in tropic regions can be considered potential risk. Occurrences of these diseases will cause obstacles in the main production of the farm and livestock and need to give detail emphasis to upgrade the herd health programme and uplift disease monitoring programme to enhance biosecurity in ruminant livestock industry particularly in small ruminant. Currently Malaysian Agriculture plan is to uplift and enhance the ruminant production for food security and safety of the country. Therefore, it is important to have current seroprevalance status of common small ruminants' bacterial and viral diseases in tropics focusing in Malaysia where a holistic of current status essential to be study and known.