Seroprevalence of and risk factors for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri infection in small ruminants in Northern Jordan

Abstract

During the period from January 2002 to December 2003, serum samples were collected from 104 small ruminant flocks consisting of 18 sheep flocks, 27 goat flocks, and 59 mixed flocks containing both sheep and goats in northern Jordan. Only female sheep and goats were sampled. At least five females aged over 2 years per flock per species were sampled and examined for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri using the latex agglutination test. To increase the chances of detecting positive flocks, sick or older ewes were sampled. Specific information was obtained using a questionnaire to identify potential risk factors for M. mycoides subsp. capri seropositivity in small ruminants. The true flock-level seroprevalences of M. mycoides subsp. capri were 34%, 32%, and 38% in small ruminants (sheep and goats), sheep, and goats, respectively. Differences between flock-level seroprevalences in sheep and goats were not significant (p = 0.7). Multivariable logistic regression analysis of 21 production and health management practices showed four to be associated with M. mycoides subsp. capri seropositivity including flocks which were grazed and fed concentrate supplement (OR = 4.6), improper cleaning of milking utensils (OR = 4.7), buying new animals to replace culled ones (OR = 0.3), and treating against helminths when clinical signs of helminth infections appear (OR = 0.4).

A survey of Mycoplasma agalactiaein dairy sheep farms in Spain

“…In Northern Jordan, investigations revealed a seroprevalence in sheep, goat and mixed flocks of 25%, 21% and 30% respectively, for M. agalactiae, and 32%, 38% and 34% for M. mycoides subsp. capri , suggesting that both microorganisms are widely distributed in that country and to the same extent in sheep and goats [7,10]. This scenario is probably caused because in Jordan more than 93% of sheep and goats are kept together in mixed farms, so both hosts are exposed to the same pathogens.…”

“…However, it is also widely distributed in west Asian countries, central, north and east African Countries, the USA, and Brazil [1,2,7-9]. Interestingly, the significance of the different Mycoplasma species causing CA varies depending on the geographic area.…”

“…In Northern Jordan, M. agalactiae and M. mycoides subsp. capri play the major role in both, sheep and goats [7,10]. In France, M. agalactiae has reemerged in sheep flocks located in the basin of the Western Pyrénées, causing 98 new outbreaks in 2008 [1].…”

Advances in Diagnosis of Respiratory Diseases of Small Ruminants

“…They thereby cause several clinical symptoms which are having significant economic effect on production of small ruminants [107]. There are many species in genus Mycoplasma associated with pneumonic and respiratory conditions in small ruminants, namely, Mycoplasma agalactiae, Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma capri, Mycoplasma capripneumoniae, Mycoplasma capricolum, Mycoplasma putrefaciens, and many others [7,9,104,[106][107][108]. Mycoplasmainfection associated syndromes range from septicemia (acute) along with death to chronicity of infection that results in reduced production [150].…”

“…A multiplex real-time PCR has been developed for differentiation of the various Mycoplasma species of sheep and goat including Mycoplasma agalactiae. This assay particularly targets the two specific housekeeping genes, namely, polC and fusA considering which specific diagnostic primers and probes are to be developed [105,106]. It is however important to note that the assay requires further assessment of clinical specimens but for diagnosis on large scale basis the assay is very promising [119].…”