Bacteria associated with enzootic pneumonia in goats

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Microbiology
• Animal Health

Background:

• Enzootic pneumonia is a significant respiratory disease in goats, often associated with Mycoplasma infections.
• A history of pleuropneumonia caused by Mycoplasma mycoides group in the studied flock indicated a need for detailed investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To histologically and microbiologically characterize lung lesions in goats with suspected enzootic pneumonia.
• To identify the specific Mycoplasma species and other bacteria associated with pneumonia in different age groups of goats.

Main Methods:

• Histopathological examination of lung tissues from 83 slaughtered goats (33 kids, 50 adults).
• Microbiological analysis to isolate and identify Mycoplasma species and other potential pathogens.
• Histochemical staining to detect Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus.

Main Results:

• 82% of kids and 36% of adult goats showed lesions consistent with enzootic pneumonia (bronchointerstitial pneumonia with lymphocytic proliferation).
• Various Mycoplasma species (M. mycoides ssp. mycoides Large Colony, M. mycoides ssp. capri, M. putrefaciens, M. arginini) and Pasteurella multocida were identified, primarily in younger animals.
• Mycoplasma sp. was associated with pneumonia in adult goats, and CAR bacillus was found in both kids (25.9%) and adult goats (44.4%), marking its first description in adult goats.

Conclusions:

• Mycoplasma species and Pasteurella multocida are key contributors to enzootic pneumonia in young goats.
• Different Mycoplasma species and CAR bacillus play a role in pneumonia pathogenesis in adult goats.
• This study provides the first evidence of CAR bacillus infection in adult goats, highlighting its importance in goat respiratory disease.