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Mycoplasma agalactiae: The Sole Cause of Classical Contagious Agalactia?
Sergio Migliore1, Roberto Puleio1, Robin A J Nicholas2
1Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", 90129 Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
Abstract:
Contagious agalactia (CA) is suspected when small ruminants show all or several of the following clinical signs: mastitis, arthritis, keratoconjunctivitis and occasionally abortion. It is confirmed following mycoplasma isolation or detection. The historical and major cause is Mycoplasma agalactiae which was first isolated from sheep in 1923. Over the last thirty years, three other mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum and Mycoplasma putrefaciens) have been added to the etiology of CA because they can occasionally cause clinically similar outcomes though nearly always in goats. However, only M. agalactiae is subject to animal disease regulations nationally and internationally. Consequently, it makes little sense to list mycoplasmas other than M. agalactiae as causes of the OIE-listed CA when they are not officially reported by the veterinary authorities and unlikely to be so in the future. Indeed, encouraging countries just to report M. agalactiae may bring about a better understanding of the importance of CA. In conclusion, we recommend that CA should only be diagnosed and confirmed when M. agalactiae is detected either by isolation or molecular methods, and that the other three mycoplasmas be removed from the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines in Terrestrial Animals and associated sources.
Insights
Contagious agalactia (CA) diagnosis should focus solely on Mycoplasma agalactiae. Removing other mycoplasmas from official reporting will improve understanding of this significant small ruminant disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Animal Health
- Disease Etiology
Background:
- Contagious agalactia (CA) presents with mastitis, arthritis, and keratoconjunctivitis in small ruminants.
- Mycoplasma agalactiae is the primary historical cause of CA, identified in 1923.
- Other mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum, Mycoplasma putrefaciens) can cause similar symptoms, primarily in goats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reassess the etiological agents of Contagious Agalactia (CA) for improved disease management and reporting.
- To align diagnostic criteria with international animal disease regulations.
- To enhance the global understanding of CA's true prevalence and impact.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical etiological data for Contagious Agalactia.
- Analysis of current animal disease regulations and reporting practices.
- Evaluation of Mycoplasma species' role in clinical CA presentation and official disease listing.
Main Results:
- Only Mycoplasma agalactiae is subject to national and international animal disease regulations for CA.
- Other implicated mycoplasmas are not officially reported and unlikely to be in the future.
- Current OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) listing includes Mycoplasma agalactiae as the sole causative agent of regulatory concern.
Conclusions:
- Contagious Agalactia (CA) diagnosis and confirmation should exclusively rely on the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae.
- It is recommended to remove Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum, and Mycoplasma putrefaciens from the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines in Terrestrial Animals.
- Focusing reporting on Mycoplasma agalactiae will foster a clearer understanding of CA's significance in small ruminant health.
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