Presence of mycoplasmas in the respiratory system of small ruminants managed under an extensive production system

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of mycoplasmas in the respiratory system of sheep and goat populations managed under extensive production systems. Specific culture and polymerase chain reaction techniques were performed on a total of 88 lung tissue samples and 142 nasal swabs obtained from multiple herds in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 29 samples (12.6%) were found to be positive for mycoplasmas. Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae was detected in the nasal swabs and lungs of affected sheep (n = 19) and in the lungs of asymptomatic goat kids (n = 2), while M. arginini (n = 5) and M. bovigenitalium (n = 1) were found in the goats' respiratory tracts. These data confirm the importance of M. ovipneumoniae in sheep raised under an extensive production system. This report also provides the first evidence of M. bovigenitalium isolation from the respiratory tract of goats. © TüBITAK.