Isolation, characterization and antibiogram of Mycoplasma bovis in sheep Pneumonia

Abstract

M. bovis is a common respiratory pathogen for cattle but it may produce similar disease complex conditions. It can be transmitted through litter, tools and the hands and clothing of the owners and handlers in sheep and goats. In comparisons to other mycoplasmas M. bovis shows relatively high resistance under some environmental conditions. The occurrence in sheep is rare but it causes severe economic losses. The present study revealed an outbreak of pneumonia in sheep flock leading to high morbidity and mortality. To get an idea of etiological agent of outbreak the samples were collected from morbid animals and during the postmortem from dead animals. Nasal and tracheal swabs, blood, serum, faecal samples and tissues from multiple organs were collected and examined in laboratory. TheM. bovis was the etiological agent isolated from nasal swabs and lungs of infected and dead animals, respectively. Histopathological findings also supported mycoplasmic lesions in dead animals. As the success of treatment of the respiratory diseases due to M. Bovis depends on the right choice of the compound, its distribution in the tissues and last but not least the simultaneous antibacterial effect in secondary and mixed infections, the in vitro antimicrobial drug sensitivity was performed to select the drug of choice for treatment. The antibiogram of isolate revealed Tylosin and Enrofloxacin with remarkable zone of inhibition. Therefore, tylosin was recommended as drug for treatment and flock recovered with in the period of 15 days. There was no further mortality and all the infected sheep recovered from the signs of illness. This seems to be the first report of M. bovis outbreak in sheep in country. © 2012 Academic Journals Inc.