Genetic Characterization of Mycoplasma. bovis, L. moncytogenes and Brucella species Recovered from Bovine Abortion

Abstract

Abortion is one of the devastating and economic problems in dairy sector. This study aimed to determine the common bacterial cause of bovine abortion in Menoufiya governorate, Egypt from October 2018 till December 2019. Out of examination of 600 cows, 100 aborted cases (16.7%) were observed during this period and 55 vaginal swabs, 15 fetal stomach contents and 30 milk samples were collected from aborted cows and subculture onto specific medium. Our findings concluded that bacterial isolation reported that B. melitensis and L. monocytogenes were the most isolated from 55 vaginal swabs with 3.6% followed by M. bovis 1.8%. Meanwhile B. abortus and B. melitensis were the most common with 13.3% from 15 foetal stomach content followed by L. monocytogenes 6.6%. Moreover, M. bovis and B. abortus, and L. monocytogenes were isolated from 30 milk samples with 6.6%. The PCR results revealed successful amplification of B. abortus, B. melitensis, M. bovis and L. monocytogenes at 498, 731, 360, and 938 respectively. The sequencing analysis of B. melitensis, B. abortus, L. monocytogenes and M. bovis demonstrated identical and strong similarities (96.67–100%) with many international field strains in the Gene bank. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report for L. monocytogenes and M. bovis from aborted fetus that showed high homologues with many international field stains. In conclusion, B. melitensis, B. abortus, M. bovis and L. monocytogenes, were the most common bacterial causes of bovine abortion in Egypt, thus promoting more attention and studies to establish new methods for control measures.