Detection of M. agalactiae Infection in Small Ruminants in Eastern of Türkiye

Year 2025, , 49 - 55, 28.03.2025

Atanur Koçyiğit Kadir Akar

https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1624707

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the presence of Mycoplasma (M.) agalactiae in small ruminants with clinical symptoms such as milk withdrawal, milk reduction, and discoloration by molecular techniques in the Bitlis region.
Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 120 samples were collected from milk, blood, eye fluid, ear fluid, and joint fluid from animals, and the clinical symptoms were shown in the Bitlis Center and Districts. DNA isolation of the collected samples was performed according to commercial kit protocols. Then, a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) step was performed with primer pairs (uvrC) synthesized specifically for M. agalactia.
Results: For the uvrC gene region, 36.55% (34/93) of the milk samples and 28.30% of the whole samples were positive. It was determined that all of the positive samples were from goat samples. As a result, the positivity rate determined by the molecular method in this study was higher than the classical methods (isolation, identification). This study is the first study investigating the presence of M. agalactia in the Bitlis region.
Conclusion: Further studies are needed to determine the prevalence of the agent in the region. In addition, further studies are required to control and eradicate the circulating agent in the area.

Keywords

Small Ruminant, Mycoplasma, PCR, Mastitis

Ethical Statement

Van Yuzuncu Yil University Animal Research Local Ethics Committee (Decision no: 2023/ 09-06), Van, Turkey, granted ethical permission for the study.

Project Number

This study was supported by Van Yuzuncu Yil University BAP Coordination Office with project number TYL-2023-10814.

Thanks

The first author's master thesis titled ‘Investigation of the Presence of Mycoplasma agalactiae in Sheep and Goats in Bitlis Region’ constituted a part of this research.

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