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Updated: Jul 27, 2025

On-Site Molecular Detection of Soil-Borne Phytopathogens Using a Portable Real-Time PCR System
Published on: February 23, 2018
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.
Abstract:
Mycoplasma ovipneumonea (M. ovipneumonea) are microorganism's causes atypical pneumonia in (sheep and goat). Mycoplasma is isolated frequently from pneumonic cases (lung, trachea, and nose) of sheep but can also be found in the respiratory tract of healthy sheep. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and pathological examination of M. ovipneumonea in sheep. Samples in the current study were collected from sheep of both sex and 6-10 months of age in Basrah slaughterhouse, suffering from respiratory signs associated with ocular, nasal discharge, and coughing. Nasal swabs were collected from the nose before slaughtering; other swabs were collected from the trachea and bifurcation of bronchus for bacterial isolation on PPLOs. Tissue specimens are frozen for DNA gene-based PCR analysis and for preparing paraffin blocks for histopathological examination. The bacterial cultures revealed isolates of Mycoplasma were positive on (PPLO) broth with agar from the morphological colonies of Mycoplasmaovipeumonea "fried egg" type colony morphology. PCR results revealed the 16S rRNA gene of Mycoplasma sp. The appearance revealed different stages of pulmonary changes like respiratory congestion, edema, and hemorrhagic spots on the surface of the lungs, and their air passages contained inflammatory exudate. The microscopic lesions represent acute fibrinous-suppurative broncho-interstitial pneumonia. M. ovipneumoniae was a prevalent respiratory infectious disease in Iraqi's sheep-Basrah province with frequent bacterial isolation, pneumonic pathological changes in animals suffer from different respiratory manifestations.
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.
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