Epidemiology of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides cluster in flocks of northeastern Brazil

• Published in: Ciência rural Vol. 48; no. 4
• Main Authors: Santos, Sandra Batista dos, Melo, Renata Pimentel Bandeira de, Silva, Luana Thamires Rapôso da, Oliveira, Júnior Mário Baltazar de, Abad, Atzel Candido Acosta, Pinheiro Júnior, José Wilton, Mota, Rinaldo Aparecido
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Santa Maria Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Centro de Ciencias Rurais 01.01.2018; Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
• Subjects: Agalactia; AGRONOMY; Animal husbandry; Arthritis; Breeding; Clusters; contagious agalactia; Deoxyribonucleic acid; diagnostic; Disease; DNA; Epidemiology; Farms; flocks; Genetic testing; Goat's milk; Goats; Infections; Investigations; Meat; Milk; Mycoplasma agalactiae; Mycoplasma mycoides; Mycoplasmosis; Pathogens; Polymerase chain reaction; Questionnaires; Risk analysis; risk factor; Risk factors; Semi arid areas; Semiarid lands; Sheep; Vagina; Brazil; United States > US; rebanhos; epidemiology; agalaxia contagiosa; flocks; contagious agalactia; epidemiologa; diagnóstico; diagnostic; risk factor; fatores de risco
• ISSN: 0103-8478; 1678-4596; 1678-4596
• DOI: 10.1590/0103-8478cr20170427

The present study aimed to investigate contagious agalactia (CA) in flocks from Pernambuco State. The study involved 225 goats and 63 ewes; 288 milk samples and 100 vaginal swabs were collected in total. The PCR assays were carried out using specific primers to Mycoplasma agalactiae and the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Among the goat’s milk samples,12.0% (27/225) were positive for Mycoplasma agalactiae DNA, while 5.3% (12/225) contained the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Of the vaginal swabs taken from goats, 15.4% (12/78) were positive for Mycoplasma agalactiae DNA and 3.8% (3/78) contained the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. In the case of ewes, 4.3% (1/23) of the milk samples contained Mycoplasma agalactiae DNA, and 7.5% (3/40) were positive for the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Vaginal swabs taken from sheep´s were negative. Analysis of risk factors for mycoplasmosis, showed that goats and sheep flocks on the extensive breeding system are more likely to have mycoplasmosis than those on the intensive breeding system (odds ratio (OR) 6.2; p=0.004); meat goat and sheep flocks are more likely to have infection compared to dairy flocks (OR 4.8; p=0.011); unclean animal housing increases the chances of infection (OR 5.0; p=0.031) and not performing quarantine increases the chances of mycoplasmosis (OR 4.6; p=0.042). Based on these findings we conclude that CA syndrome in the semiarid region of Pernambuco state can be associated with Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a Agalaxia contagiosa em rebanhos do estado de Pernambuco. Foram examinadas 225 cabras e 63 ovelhas, das quais foram colhidas 288 amostras de leite e 100 suabes vaginais. Foram realizadas reações da PCR com iniciadores específicos para Mycoplasma agalactiae e Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. A frequência total de Mycoplasma agalactiae em amostras de leite caprino foi de 12,0% (27/225) e de 5,3% (12/225) para Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Dos suabes vaginais de cabras as frequências detectadas na PCR foram de 15,4% (12/78) para Mycoplasma agalactiaee 3,8% (3/78) para Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Em leite de ovelhas a frequência de Ma foi de 4.3% (1/23) e de 7,5% (3/40) para Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Na análise dos fatores de risco para micoplasmoses verificou-se que rebanhos de caprinos e ovinos mantidos no sistema extensivo são mais prováveis de adquirir micoplasmose quando comparados com o sistema intensivo (odds ratio (OR) 6,2; p=0,004); rebanhos de caprinos e ovinos de corte são mais prováveis de adquirir micoplamsose do que rebanhos de leite (OR 4,8; p=0,011); não realizar limpeza das instalações aumenta as chances de infecção (OR 5,0; p=0,031); não realizar quarentena aumenta as chances das micoplasmoses estudadas (OR 4,6; p=0,042). Conclui-se que M. agalactiae e Mycoplasma mycoides cluster estão envolvidos na síndrome de CA em rebanhos de caprinos e ovinos do semiárido pernambucano.