Molecular Characterization of Pasterulla Multocida in Fattening Bovine

Abstract

P ASTEURELLA multocida infection has serious complications for both human and animal health. In bovines, it is the predominant cause of fatal pneumonia, with a mortality rate up to 100%, especially in severe undiagnosed cases. Therefore, this study was conducted for molecular identification and characterization of P. multocida in nasal swabs and pneumonic lung tissue in cattle calves less than one year suffered from pneumonia and respiratory disorders. The detection of P. multocida was higher in pneumonic lung tissue (40%) than in nasal swabs. Only 37 out of 109 collected samples were positive for P. multocida using bacteriological culture and those samples were confirmed by PCR targeting Kmt1 gene. The phylogenetic analysis of local P. multocida isolate revealed close relation with other P. multocida strains from bovine from Egypt, China, USA and Canada. Consequently, establishing a potent epidemiological surveillance program is necessary to decrease the spreading of disease and the economic losses among fattening calves.