Investigations into the seasonal presence of Mycoplasma species in fattening lambs. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernández, Sara; Galapero, Javier; Rey, Joaquín; Pérez, Carlos Javier; Ramos, Alfonso; Rosales, Rubén; Ayling, Roger; Alonso, Juan Manuel; Gómez, Luis
• Is Part Of: Veterinary journal. Volume 212(2016)
• Page Start: 80
• Page End: 82
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae -- Mycoplasma arginini -- Respiratory disease -- Environmental temperature -- Relative humidity; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.04.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1090-0233

Abstract

Highlights: M. ovipneumoniae and M. arginini were isolated from healthy and pneumonic lungs. M. arginini was associated with lung lesions in lambs. Mycoplasma spp. are more prevalent in summer months in southwestern Spain. Mycoplasma spp. favour high environmental temperatures and lower relative humidity. Abstract: The presence of infection with Mycoplasma species in association with lung consolidation, environmental temperature and relative humidity was investigated in 410 clinically healthy fattening lambs from five different feedlots in Extremadura (southwestern Spain). Isolates of Mycoplasma species were obtained ( n = 117), including Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae ( n = 18) and Mycoplasma arginini ( n = 99). Two seasonal periods were identified. The first period, which included February, March, September, October, and November, had an average temperature of 17.5 ± 4.7 °C and a relative humidity of 61.3 ± 15.8%. The second seasonal period, which included the months from April to August, had an average temperature of 22.9 ± 5.5 °C and a relative humidity of 48.4 ± 10.7%. Most Mycoplasma species were isolated from the second seasonal period, indicating that higher temperatures and lower relative humidity favour the presence of Mycoplasma species. M. arginini was also associated with lung consolidation.