Contagious agalactia of small ruminants: current knowledge concerning epidemiology, diagnosis and control [Mycoplasma agalactiae, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum, Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides large colony, Mycoplasma putrefaciens]

• Published in: Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics) Vol. 16; no. 3; p. 848
• Main Authors: Bergonier, D. (Centre National d'Etudes Veterinaires et Alimentaires, Toulouse (France). Departement Elevage et Produits), Berthelot, X, Poumarat, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France 01.12.1997
• Subjects: AETIOLOGY; AGALACTIA; AGALAXIA; AGALAXIE; Animals; Bacteremia - diagnosis; Bacteremia - epidemiology; Bacteremia - therapy; Bacteremia - veterinary; Balanitis - diagnosis; Balanitis - epidemiology; Balanitis - therapy; Balanitis - veterinary; CAPRIN; CAPRINOS; CONTROL DE ENFERMEDADES; CONTROLE DE MALADIES; DIAGNOSIS; DIAGNOSTIC; DIAGNOSTICO; DISEASE CONTROL; EPIDEMIOLOGIA; EPIDEMIOLOGIE; EPIDEMIOLOGY; ETIOLOGIA; ETIOLOGIE; Female; Goat Diseases - diagnosis; Goat Diseases - epidemiology; Goat Diseases - therapy; GOATS; Lactation Disorders - diagnosis; Lactation Disorders - epidemiology; Lactation Disorders - therapy; Lactation Disorders - veterinary; Male; Mastitis - diagnosis; Mastitis - epidemiology; Mastitis - therapy; Mastitis - veterinary; MICOPLASMOSIS; MYCOPLASMA; Mycoplasma - classification; Mycoplasma - isolation & purification; MYCOPLASMA CAPRICOLUM; Mycoplasma Infections - diagnosis; Mycoplasma Infections - epidemiology; Mycoplasma Infections - therapy; Mycoplasma Infections - veterinary; MYCOPLASMA MYCOIDES; Mycoplasma mycoides - isolation & purification; MYCOPLASMOSE; MYCOPLASMOSES; OVIN; OVINOS; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - diagnosis; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - epidemiology; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - therapy; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma - veterinary; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - epidemiology; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - therapy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - veterinary; SHEEP; Sheep Diseases - diagnosis; Sheep Diseases - epidemiology; Sheep Diseases - therapy; VACCINATION; VACUNACION; Vulvovaginitis - diagnosis; Vulvovaginitis - epidemiology; Vulvovaginitis - therapy; Vulvovaginitis - veterinary
• ISSN: 0253-1933
• DOI: 10.20506/rst.16.3.1062

Contagious agalactia of small ruminants is a syndrome which principally affects the mammary glands, joints and eyes. The main causal agents are Mycoplasma agalactiae in sheep, and M. agalactiae, M. mycoides subsp. mycoides large colony type and M. capricolum subsp. capricolum in goats. In addition, M. putrefaciens can produce a similar clinical picture, particularly in goats. Contagious agalactia occurs on all five continents and is often enzootic. The evolution of the infection tends to be chronic in affected animals and herds. Symptomless shedding of mycoplasmas, mainly in the milk, may persist for a long time. These insidious infections, associated with carriage in the ears of healthy animals, are difficult to diagnose and to control. The main mode of transmission between flocks is related to the sale of carrier animals and contact during transhumance, whereas transmission within a flock occurs through contact, suckling and milking. This review discusses the clinical features, epidemiology, treatment, prevention and control of the disease.