An Investigation of Contagious Agalactia Disease of Sheep and Goats in Isparta and Afyonkarahisar in Turkey

Abstract

Background: Contagious agalactia causes significant economic losses. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of contagious agalactia disease in cities of Isparta and Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. Methods: The study includes 45.500 animals in 220 ovine enterprises and samples were taken from those suspected of contagious agalactia disease. 202 animals in the 21 ovine enterprises comprised of 139 goats, 56 sheep, 3 kid goats, 2 goats, 2 lambs in total suspected of the disease were sampled. A total of 289 samples were collected, including 91 milk samples, 28 nasal swabs, 101 eye swabs, 8 joint fluids and 61 ear swabs. The isolates obtained after incubation were identified with polymerase chain reaction by using specific primers to assess film and spot formation, glucose fermentation, growth inhibition tests. Result: Three Mycoplasma spp. isolates obtained from 28 nasal swabs turned out to be negative for M. agalactiae after PCR analysis. Colony morphology, biochemical tests and growth inhibition tests revealed that one agent was M. arginine and the two factors were identified as M. ovipneumoniae with centerless colony morphology. The obtained results were confirmed with the polymerase chain reaction. None of the four factors causing contagious agalactia were isolated and identified.