GENOMIC DETECTION OF MYCOPLASMA AGALACTIAE IN SHEEP VAGINAL SWAB SAMPLES WITH ABORTION HISTORY IN LORESTAN PROVINCE BY PCR

Background and Aim:Contagious agalactiae caused by mycoplasma agalactiae is known as one of the most common infection diseases of sheep and goats in most parts of the world and Iran. The disease affects sheep and goat dairy herds due to abortion in pregnant ewes and medical expenses. Due to limited information about the rate of mycoplasma agalactiae aborted sheep in Iran, this study was conducted with the aim of genomic detection of mycoplasma agalactiae in vaginal secretion of sheep aborted in Lorestan province using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Methods:This cross- sectional study carried on 150 vaginal swab specimens of aborted sheep from October to March 2017. Mycoplasma genus was detected using specific primers in the 16sRNA gene region and 163bp band formation in received sample. Then, all positive samples were evaluated using specific primers in the surface lipoprotein region by forming a band of 375bp to detect the mycoplasma agalactiae species.Results:Of the 150 vaginal swab specimens obtained from aborted sheep, 4 samples (2/6%) were positive for Mycoplasma. All of the positive samples were identified the mycoplasma agalactiae.Conclusion:The results of the study showed that mycoplasma agalactiae cannot be considered as an important factor in abortion of sheep in Lorestan province and further studies are needed to determine the contribution of other causes of abortion in the study area.

Keywords:

Mycoplasma agalactiae , abortion , vaginal swab