Isolation of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and M. arginini from a goat flock affected with atypical respiratory symptoms Francione E. 1, Dellamaria D. 1, Minghetti G. 6, Fasoli A. 5, Bianchini M. 4, Catania S. 2, Tavella A. 3 1 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Trento (I) 2 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (I) 3 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Bolzano (I) 4 APSS, Servizio Veterinario di Borgo Valsugana, Trento (I) 5 Practitioner, Trento (I 5 Practitioner, Trento (I) 6 Fondazione E. Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Trento KEYWORDS : Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, Mycoplasma arginini, Mannhemia haemolytica, atypical pneumonia, mycoplasma isolation, DGGE-PCR, MIC CONCLUSIONS According to clinical signs, necropsy findings, and laboratory results, we considered M. ovipneumoniae as potential primary agent of chronic pneumonia in goats. The good sensibility to major antibiotics and the low efficacy of the therapy support the hypothesis that M. haemolytica and M. arginini may be regarded as opportunistic pathogens. Ayling et. al 2004 described that M. ovipneumoniae is responsible, frequently in association with M. haemolytica, for one of the most common diseases in sheep, known as ‘coughing syndrome.’ Our data confirmed the presence of chronic pneumonia, primary due to M. ovipneumonie, also in goats in the Italian Alps. REFERENCES 1. Rifatbegovic M., Maksimovic Z., Hulaj B. (2011). Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae associated with severe respiratory disease in goats. Vet Rec168: Lin Y.-C., Miles R.J., Nicholas R.A.J., Kelly D.P., Wood A.P. (2008): Isolation and immunological detection of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in sheep with atypical pneumonia, and lack of a role for Mycoplasma arginini. Res Vet Sci 84, Ayling R.D., Bashiruddin S. E. and Nicholas R. A. J. (2004). Mycoplasma species and related organisms isolated from ruminants in Britain between 1990 and Vet Rec 155: OBJECTIVES This case report describes the detection of a co-infection of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, Mycoplasma arginini and Mannhemia haemolytica in a goat flock affected with atypical respiratory symptoms in the Italian Alps. M. ovipneumoniae is the most commonly isolated mycoplasma from the respiratory tract of healthy small ruminants but it is considered to be the primary pathogen in chronic respiratory infections in sheep and goats, especially in association with M. haemolytica and M. arginini. MATERIAL AND METHODS In July 2013 a practitioner described a respiratory outbreak in a semi-extensive goat farm. The flock is composed of 40 lactating animals of Alpine, Saanen and crossbreeds. 1 kid suddenly died, while antibiotic therapy with enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg) and tilosin (10-20 mg/kg) was undertaken on other young animals, with poor effects. A kid was submitted for necropsy. Microbiological and biomolecular exams: A standard bacteriological test was used for bacteria isolation (blood agar). PCR was performed on lung tissue samples in order to detect Chlamydia spp., Mycoplasma spp. and on spleen specimen to identify Pestivirus. Mycoplasma isolation was also conducted on lung samples: the samples were inoculated in liquid and solid mycoplasma experience media and incubated at 37°C at 5% CO2. In order to identify Mycoplasma spp. positive cultures were tested by DGGE-PCR method. In order to evaluate the barn situation nasal swabs were collected from 13 kids and submitted for PCR detection of Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydia spp., and Mycoplasma spp.. Fig. 2: Camosciata breed goats in Alpine pasture (Malga Bordolona alta). RESULTS NECROPSY and MICROBIOLOGY: Pathological findings: inflammatory fluids in the thorax cavity, pleuritis, fibrinous pneumonia and hemorrhagic enteritis; Microbiology: M. arginini was isolated from lung tissue samples collected from the necropsied kid and bacteriological screening showed a M. haemolytica co – infection. NASAL SWABS: PCR analysis detected Mycoplasma sp. in 10 out of the 13 nasal swabs; Mycoplasma isolation method showed presence of typical colonies in 9/13 (70%) samples: then colonies were identified as M. ovipneumoniae; Three nasal swabs tested PCR positive for Chlamydia sp.; All swabs were Coxiella burnetii negative. The MIC test showed good susceptibility for oxytetracycline, tylosin and enrofloxacin. Fig. 1:Microbiological colture of M. ovipneumoniae and M. arginini Foto G. Minghetti SYMPTOMS Adult goatsYoung goats (<6 months) Chronic respiratory symptoms Increase body temperature Lethargy Anorexia Dyspnea Nasal discharge Cough