Pathological and Molecular detection of

Z Waheed Khudiar Khareeb1, Z Ismail Ibrahim2, F Ali Abdullah3

  • 1Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.

PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma ovipneumonea causes atypical pneumonia in sheep. This study isolated and identified M. ovipneumonea in Iraqi sheep, confirming its prevalence and pathological effects.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Animal Pathology

Background:

  • Mycoplasma ovipneumonea is a significant cause of atypical pneumonia in sheep and goats.
  • It is frequently isolated from pneumonic cases but can also reside in healthy animals' respiratory tracts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate, identify, and conduct a pathological examination of Mycoplasma ovipneumonea in sheep.
  • To investigate the prevalence of M. ovipneumonea in sheep exhibiting respiratory symptoms in Basrah, Iraq.

Main Methods:

  • Bacterial isolation from nasal, tracheal, and bronchial swabs on PPLO agar.
  • DNA extraction for PCR analysis targeting the 16S rRNA gene.
  • Histopathological examination of lung tissues to assess pulmonary changes.

Main Results:

  • Mycoplasma isolates exhibited characteristic "fried egg" colony morphology on PPLO agar.
  • PCR confirmed the presence of Mycoplasma sp. via the 16S rRNA gene.
  • Pathological findings included respiratory congestion, edema, hemorrhagic spots, inflammatory exudate, and acute fibrinous-suppurative broncho-interstitial pneumonia.

Conclusions:

  • Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is a prevalent respiratory infectious disease in sheep in the Basrah province of Iraq.
  • The study confirmed frequent bacterial isolation and associated pneumonic pathological changes in affected sheep.